Bolt and Uber drivers in Nigeria have parked their vehicles in demand for a 200 percent price hike following the recent removal of petrol subsidy by the government of President Bola Ahmed Tnubu.
The drivers under the umbrella of the Amalgamated Union of App-based Transport Workers of Nigeria (AUATWON), began the strike on Wednesday to protest what they described as low pricing in face of the increase in cost of petrol. “The union’s technical team is versed with the operation and technicality of ride-hailing companies and, on our calculations, any app company can break even charging below five per cent even though the union recommended a flat commission of 10 percent 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 ofApp-Based Transport Workers of Nigeria,” AUATWON said in a statement made available to the media.
