By TITILOLA YEROKUN/FLORENCE ONUEGBU

The Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON), Lagos Chapter, has announced plans to embark on an indefinite industrial action against Uber/Moove over alleged exploitative practices.

The Chairman of AUATON, Mr Azeez Jaiyesimi, disclosed this on Monday in Lagos during a news conference addressing the ongoing challenges faced by Moove drivers.

Jaiyesimi said the union was giving Uber/Moove five working days, starting from the date of the press briefing, to address its exploitative Drive-To-Own (DTO) scheme.

He explained that Uber/Moove had unilaterally increased drivers’ daily DTO remittance from N9,400 to N18,700, a 100 per cent increment imposed without consultation.

According to him, this was done without a corresponding adjustment in passenger fares or a reduction in the commissions deducted from drivers.

He said that such action had placed unbearable financial strain on drivers, who were already operating under tight margins.

The chairman said Uber/Moove had continued to deduct Health Maintenance Organisation (HMO) fees from drivers without enrolling them in any health scheme, describing the act as a breach of trust and a failure of corporate responsibility.

He alleged that the app-based company manipulated repayment records of drivers under the DTO scheme, thereby extending repayment tenures, a move that undermined transparency and kept drivers trapped in perpetual indebtedness.

Jaiyesimi stated that Uber/Moove required DTO drivers to work a minimum of 72 hours per week and complete 82 trips weekly.

He said the requirement was not only unsustainable but also unsafe, as fatigued drivers were more prone to accidents, endangering both themselves and the commuting public.

According to him, while regular Uber drivers pay a 25 per cent commission, DTO drivers are charged 33.33 per cent, a discriminatory practice that further reduces their limited earnings and amounts to economic exploitation.

“In light of these grievances, AUATON, on behalf of all affected drivers, is demanding the immediate reversal of daily remittance to N9,400 and an end to arbitrary increases.

“AUATON is also calling for full implementation of HMO enrollment, transparent accounting of repayment records, reduction of excessive workload and harmonisation of commission rates.

“DTO drivers must not be unfairly penalised with higher commission rates. The 25 per cent commission applied to regular Uber drivers must equally apply to DTO drivers.

“AUATON further demands that Uber/Moove engage in formal dialogue with our union representatives within 72 hours of this press briefing.

“Should Uber/Moove fail to respond, AUATON will have no choice but to declare an indefinite industrial action after five working days, starting from the date of this statement,” he said.

The chairman said this was not merely a labour issue but also a matter of social justice.

He stated that Uber/Moove must understand that profitability could not come at the expense of human dignity, public safety and workers’ rights.

Jaiyesimi added that drivers were not opposed to innovation or corporate growth, but were simply demanding fairness, transparency and accountability.

“We therefore call on the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, the Lagos State Government, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the general public to hold Uber/Moove accountable for these exploitative practices.

“The Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria remains committed to dialogue, but we will not hesitate to defend our members through lawful industrial action if necessary.

“Together, we can ensure that app-based transportation in Nigeria thrives not on the backs of exploited workers, but on a foundation of justice, fairness and mutual respect,” he said. (NAN)