Uber, Bolt drivers begin strike tomorrow

Top ride-hailing platforms Uber and Bolt, under the aegis of Professional E-hailing Drivers and Private Owners Association (PEDPA), in Lagos are set o embark on strike on Monday if e-hailing companies fail to increase fares being charged by the operators.

Idris Shonuga, National President of PEDPA, made this known at a news conference in Lagos and called for immediate review of e-cab fares to reflect the current economic reality in the country.

According to Shonuga, over 95 per cent of e-hailing transactions are consummated through Uber and Bolt platforms.

He said that the companies had refused to review its pricing despite unprecedented increases in the price of fuel, vehicles spare parts, food items and other essential commodities in the country.

“In a quest to work harmoniously at resolving some issues, the association wrote several letters to the companies which was not attended to, showing a nonchalant attitude towards our plight.

“Your companies have failed, refused and neglected to honour our request for a meeting to discuss issues beneficial to all e-hailing drivers in Nigeria.

“Instead of fixing a new and reasonable fare in line with inflation, the companies have recklessly continued to maintain the low fare, thereby, impoverishing hard working young Nigerians who are diligently and lawfully trying to make a decent living.

The e-cab operators demand adequate welfare packages for drivers and compensation to the families of those that lost their lives or are permanently disabled in the line of duty of which more than 15 drivers have lost their lives, while some had been permanently disabled in accidents in the course of the service,” he said.

Shonuga further stated that the association was considering taking legal action to seek remedies against the e-hailing companies if their demands were not met.