Drivers vow to dump Uber, Bolt, inDrive for indigenous apps if 5% commission not met

In continuation of what they described as an era of resistance to app companies, e-Hailing drivers in Lagos have vowed to dump the popular ride-hailing apps, inDrive, Uber and Bolt in favour of indigenous apps. This was disclosed in a statement by the Lagos PRO of the Amalgamated Union of App-based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON), Comrade Steven Iwindoye.

According to the statement, the drivers will be making the exodus unless the companies acquiesce to several of their demands, one of which is a commission slash to 5 per cent. Other demands include: fair compensation for services, safe working conditions for both drivers and passengers, and an end to what they describe as modern-day slavery and systematic exploitation.

Other demands are the recognition of their rights and welfare, a demand to be part of the decision-making table as partners and not the slaves they believe the app companies take them for, and the power to negotiate their own fares without restrictions, seeing as they are owners of their own businesses within the system.

“If App companies (App sharks) fail to comply, we shall massively move to new indigenous App companies who are ready and willing to comply with drivers’ demands. Currently, we have 3 on ground while the drivers community is building one for herself. Enough of this slavery and exploitation by these app sharks,” the statement reads.

The drivers’ union said the development is part of what it described as a Plan B. Per the plan, the national leadership has already submitted a formal petition to the National Assembly. Following suit, the Lagos State Council of the union will also be submitting its own petition to the Lagos State House of Assembly and other relevant authorities.

“Following this, we will announce a date for picketing these app companies – a strategic action that will bring our demands to their doorsteps. We will not rest until victory is achieved and we will make sure all relevant authorities feel our impact, including the government,” the statement reads.

May 1 boycott of Uber, Bolt inDrive a success

This is coming 24 hours after the drivers declared a Workers Day boycott of the app companies, citing low pay, massive exploitation and unfair working conditions. Asked how he would rate the action, Comrade Steven described it as a success.

“It was successful. At least, on the ground at the rally, we have more than 400 drivers. When we finished at Onikan we migrated to Ikeja, where we hosted everybody. It was very successful. We even had an interview with the BBC, so it was really good,” he told Technext.

Looking forward, the drivers are unfolding a plan B, a move which it threatens will culminate in a mass shift to indigenous apps. One of these indigenous apps is likely SimpliRide, an app that is heavily backed by the union. Launched in April and going live in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt, the app was launched to address the challenges of the drivers.

“SimpliRide was built based on input from drivers because our purpose is to address drivers’ pain points. We have an inclusive policy. We listen to our drivers, they have a say at the table. The app is built proudly by Nigerians for Nigerians with the highest level of engineering competency. We are the bridge between the gig economy and the formal economy. Our model is the future of e-hailing,” its Director of Business Development, Dr Raymond Odu Dibang-Achua told Technext.

Importantly, with the issue of commissions, SimpliRide said it is entering the market with a zero commission policy. In its place, the app will only demand a daily subscription of N1,500 from drivers regardless of how much they make daily.

Interestingly, the drivers’ union said another app being developed by drivers themselves is currently in the works. Asked whether drivers are allowed to own apps, Comrade Steven said nothing forbade them from it.

“Yes, the driver community can come together to own an app. The driver community is building an app at the moment, and that is just the truth,” he said.

It will be interesting to see how this new era of resistance by drivers and app transporters will unfold.

See also: Simpliride launches with zero commission for drivers in Lagos, Abuja, PH