The Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria(AUATON), the union that houses Bolt, Uber and other similar platform drivers, Lagos State chapter, has declared a three-day strike beginning on Sunday over concerns about working conditions and earnings in the app-based transport sector.
Steven Iwindoye, the union’s public relations officer, made the statement on Sunday at a press conference in Lagos.
The organization claims that drivers using ride-hailing services around the state are struggling with what it called “worsening economic realities,” which include growing gasoline prices, car maintenance costs, inflation, and other day-to-day operational difficulties.
According to Iwindoye, drivers who use services like Uber, Bolt, inDrive, and Lagride have frequently expressed dissatisfaction about pricing structures and operating procedures that do not take into account the state of the economy.
“Drivers operating on platforms such as Uber, Bolt, inDrive, and Lagride face rising operational costs, including high fuel prices, vehicle maintenance, inflation, and daily living expenses.
“Unfortunately, fare structures and policies of these companies have not been adjusted to reflect these economic realities. Thousands of drivers now struggle to earn a sustainable income despite working long hours,” he said.
The union clarified that the strike was required to address the issues facing app-based transport workers and to advocate for immediate industry reforms.
Drivers in Lagos are anticipated to log out from all ride-hailing platforms during the three-day industrial action, thereby suspending services during that time.
Iwindoye explained that the action was intended to demand equitable treatment, better economic conditions, and increased safety precautions for drivers who offer vital transport services, rather than to annoy passengers.
He continued by saying that ride-hailing services and the appropriate authorities had received a list of ten demands from the union.
Among the demands are a quick review of Uber and Bolt price structures to account for inflation, gasoline, and vehicle maintenance costs, as well as a decrease in ride-hailing companies’ commission rates to allow drivers to make steady wages.
Additional needs include the implementation of functional emergency panic buttons in conjunction with quick real-time reaction mechanisms to handle security risks posed by drivers, enhanced rider verification systems, and a regulated minimum base rate to avoid severely low-paying rides.
Additionally, the union demanded that drivers using ride-hailing services have full coverage for life, health, and accident insurance.
He apologised to Lagos residents for any inconvenience the action might cause, noting that the union remains open to dialogue.
The spokesperson also urged the Lagos State Government, regulatory agencies and the management of ride-hailing companies to engage with driver representatives to address the issues raised.
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