App-based transport workers brainstorm on regulations to address safety, other issues in e-hailing business
App-based transport workers brainstorm on regulations to address safety, other issues in e-hailing business
Ayodele Olalere
E-hailing drivers under the aegis of App-Based Transporters Union of Nigeria, AUATON, on Monday held the Lagos Restorative Conference to discuss the need to formulate a regulation that would address challenges facing the industry.
The workers who came from six states lamented the safety issues affecting the e-hailing business , the price of ride, and the ill-treatment they are subjected to by e-hailing operators.
The President of the union, Adedamola Adeniran in his speech noted that the need for regulation in the app-based transport system was overdue.
The need for a regulation in app-based transport work is an issue that I believe we cannot ignore right now. If we fail to adopt an agreement that will regulate platform work in Nigeria and be legally binding, we would be making the same mistakes that platforms made in the construction of their business model,” he noted.
He decried the ‘’control, sanction, and direction that denies the rights of app-based transporters to negotiation and bargaining about their rights and conditions.”
Adeniran admitted that relationship between platforms and app-based transporters representatives have broken down, adding now is the time to solve challenges confronting workers in the sector such as access to healthcare, prevention from deactivation and dismissal, car loans, reduced commission fees, safety and the use and activation of the sos buttons.”
He lamented that several of their colleagues have been lost in the line of duty as a result of insecurity while ‘platforms continue to resist the unionisation of workers and many of them have refused to sit at the table and talk.’
He called for a change from the current ‘system of blame and retribution, to a more restorative system that addresses the needs and concerns of app-based transporters that have been neglected by the current system.’
The Director, Trade Union, Federal Ministry of Labour, Muhammed Yusuf, who represented the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, commended the union for organising the conference.
“its important they come together and talk about issues of safety in their business. Anybody that wants to take Uber or Bolt would be afraid, both the driver and the passenger. There are many sad stories we have heard. So its important to have a regulation that regulates how they are treated,” he said.
Professor of Transport and Logistics, Lagos State University, LASU, Odewunmi Sanuel, said the way to solve challenges facing the sector is for all stakeholders to come together and find solutions, especially on issues of safety for the operator and the passenger.
