Digital Ride-Hailing Drivers Begin Nationwide Strike

Drivers of Ride-hailing apps, including 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.

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.

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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.

Despite the strike action, which is supposed to run till Friday, attempts to book rides within Lagos on the Bolt app were however successful.