Uber, Bolt drivers begin nationwide strike

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The Amalgamated Union of App-based Transport Workers of Nigeria, comprising drivers under the platform of e-hailing companies like Uber and Bolt, has said it will commence a nationwide protest today (Wednesday).

It planned to withdraw services of its drivers from the general public today.

After the hike in the price of Premium Motor Spirit, the drivers decried the low fare increase by the ride-hailing transport companies

According to a statement by the union, the increase by the app-based firms stood between 25 to 30 per cent, which was far from the union's demand for a 200 per cent increase, and a 50 per cent reduction in commission respectively,

The drivers, who said they could no longer work under these conditions, noted that they had previously appealed to the companies to reduce their commissions on the ground that they did not reflect industry benchmark commissions.

They urged all app-based workers across the country to be ready to fight the menace until victory was achieved.

The statement read in part, "The union's technical team is versed with the operation and technicality of ride-hailing companies and on our calculations, any app company can breakeven charging below five per cent even though the union recommended a flat commission of 10 per cent or 50 per cent off their current commission during our last meeting, as we believe this will help us to cope with maintenance costs, spare parts and various overhead cost and the current fuel increase.

"We can no longer tolerate any act of dictatorial practices by any app company because we are workers and as an organised union, we have written several letters to these companies for a round table discussion where we can look at various areas of concern and dialogue but they have remained adamant with a deliberate intention to avoid responsibility.

"So, as a result of this insensitivity, the union is directing all its members across the nation to shut down their service on all ride-hailing applications from Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in protest against every dictatorial practice and lack of concern for welfare and security of App-Based Transport workers of Nigeria."

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