Ride-hailing drivers, including that of Uber, Bolt, LagRide and Indriver, on Wednesday, began a nationwide strike. At the direction of the Amalgamated Union of App-based Transport Workers of Nigeria, ride-hailing drivers are following a sit-at-home order until the ride-hailing companies increase their base fares by 200 per cent.
Last Friday, the drivers’ union demanded that Uber, Bolt, Lagride, InDriver, and other companies increase their prices by 200% and set the minimum trip fare at ₦2,000 ($4.30) urgently.
The union’s National President, Adedamola Adeniran, claimed that the new fuel price was hurting its members’ income and patronage. Unlike independent cab drivers, branded taxi drivers, bus drivers, and others, app-based drivers can not unilaterally raise their fares.
According to the National Vice President of AUATWON for Southwest Nigeria, Kolawole Aina, the drivers plan to picket the offices of Uber in Victoria Island and Bolt in Lekki.
Despite the strike action, which is supposed to run until Friday, June 9, 2023, people can still book a ride on these platforms even though the union advised their members to stop providing services.
Among other demands, AUATWON is asking ride-hailing companies to increase fares by a minimum of 200 per cent. The union is also asking for a 50 per cent reduction in commission – Uber and Bolt collect a 20 per cent commission on every ride – and an end to the deactivation of drivers who refuse to work due to the low fares and attendant unprofitability.
The union is also seeking the recognition of AUATWON as the representative body for their interests.
What’s more, one report says Bolt has implemented an enticing bonus of ₦6,000 ($12.64) for its drivers to lure and reward enough drivers into ending the AUATWON strike action.
Drivers will receive the bonus if they meet several requirements, including making between 9 and 11 trips, working a minimum of 7 hours, and accepting up to 90% of orders.
