3 Reasons Why Bolt, Uber Drivers Will Join NLC Strike

Bolt, Uber, Rida, Indriver, and other app-based transportation drivers have announced that they will be joining the strike action planned by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) starting from Wednesday, 7th of June 2023. 

This comes as they form part of the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transport Workers of Nigeria (AUATWON). Listing reasons for joining the strike, AUATWON noted that all app-based drivers will be joining the strike because the e-hailing companies have refused to meet their demand of increasing prices on their platforms by 200%. 

Also, their participation in the strike is an avenue to protest the huge commission being charged by the app-based transport companies. 

In a service withdrawal notice, the drivers’ union said, “All state councils and Branch Chapters of our great union across Nigeria should begin mobilization for the nationwide action and withdrawal of our service from app-based companies, which would commence on Wednesday 7th of June 2023.”

It added that “All Regional Vice Presidents are to coordinate their Region by ensuring that state council and Branch chapters mobilize their members for total compliance, also note that each of our members must fully comply with the directive.”

Drivers’ demand from Uber, Bolt and others

Following the declaration “Subsidy is gone” by President Bola Tinubu, the drivers’ union asked Uber, Bolt, Lagride, Indriver, and others to urgently review their prices upward by 200% and set minimum trip fares at N2,000.

In a statement, the National President of the union, Adedamola Adeniran said the new fuel price was causing hardship on its members’ earnings and patronages.

He also said unlike independent cab drivers, branded taxi drivers, and bus drivers, app-based drivers lacked the capacity to increase the fare by themselves. The drivers also demanded a 50% reduction in the commission being charged by Bolt, Uber, and others.