The Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON), Lagos Chapter, has given Uber/Moove a five-day ultimatum to address what it described as exploitative policies, warning that failure to act would lead to an indefinite strike.
Speaking at a press briefing on Monday in Lagos, AUATON Chairman, Mr. Azeez Jaiyesimi, said drivers under the company’s Drive-To-Own (DTO) scheme had been pushed to the brink by unfair treatment and rising financial burdens.
He revealed that Uber/Moove had doubled the daily DTO remittance from ₦9,400 to ₦18,700 without consultation, a move implemented without fare adjustments or commission reductions for drivers.
“This action has placed unbearable financial strain on drivers already struggling with tight margins,” Jaiyesimi said.
The union further alleged that Uber/Moove:
- Deducts Health Maintenance Organisation (HMO) fees without enrolling drivers in any health scheme.
- Manipulates repayment records to extend drivers’ loan tenures, keeping them trapped in debt.
- Imposes unrealistic work targets of 72 hours and 82 trips weekly, endangering drivers and passengers due to fatigue.
- Charges DTO drivers a higher 33.33% commission, compared to 25% for regular Uber drivers.
AUATON is demanding the reversal of the remittance hike, fairer commission rates, transparent accounting of repayments, full HMO enrollment, and a reduction of excessive workload. The union also called for immediate dialogue with its representatives.
“If Uber/Moove fails to respond within five working days, we will have no choice but to declare an indefinite industrial action,” Jaiyesimi warned, stressing that the matter was not only a labour dispute but also one of public safety and social justice.
He urged the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, the Lagos State Government, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to intervene and hold the company accountable.
“App-based transportation must thrive on fairness and respect for workers, not exploitation,” he said.