Why Uber, Bolt, and InDrive Drivers in Lagos Are Planning a Strike on May 1
Due to what they described as poor working conditions and anti-labour practices, Bolt, Uber, In-drive, and other app-based drivers in Lagos have planned to down their tools on May 1.
The announcement, which was made on Tuesday, April 22, was signed by Steven Iwindoye, Public Relations Officer for the Lagos chapter of the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON).
The strike, expected to last for 24 hours, will take place on International Workers’ Day and will serve as an avenue for the drivers to present their demands to e-hailing service providers.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), “the union is protesting against alleged poor wages, unjust deactivations, insecurity, and unsafe working conditions.”
The agency also noted that the demands include “excessive commissions taken by app companies, lack of proper rider profiles, mandatory facial recognition systems, and harmful and exploitative work policies.”
In recent times, e-hailing drivers have complained about the excessive commissions charged by the companies. This has forced many drivers to switch between different platforms in search of better earnings. Additionally, the rising cost of fuel in the country has significantly eaten into the profits these drivers make.
Sources claim that attempts by the Lagos branch of AUATON to engage the e-hailing platforms have failed, prompting the planned action on Workers’ Day.
