Uber and Bolt said they have decided to postpone their planned strike in order to engage in dialogue with the government.
The Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transport Workers of Nigeria (AUATWON) made this announcement through a statement from Jossy Olawale, the chairman of the media and publicity committee, in Lagos on Wednesday.
Mr Olawale said the meeting, originally planned for June 20, has been rescheduled for June 26 to facilitate the dialogue. The Ministry of Labour and Employment, the app-based companies (Uber and Bolt), and the union will be participating in this meeting, he said.
“We would like to inform everyone that the strike will not take place until the scheduled meeting has been held,” Mr Olawale said.
“Our service delivery has been negatively affected by the various challenges and the substantial loss of earnings and deteriorating living standards caused by the removal of fuel subsidies,” he explained. “We also face issues such as lack of motivation, low morale, increased aggression, and poor customer service.”
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The group threatened an indefinite strike after their companies approved only a 40% fare hike in response to the removal of petrol subsidy in Nigeria.
The taxi operators said the companies failed to resolve the impasse despite a seven-working-day ultimatum issued on June 9.
The removal of fuel subsidy has pushed the price of petrol up by nearly 200%. A litre of petrol now sells for N537 as against the old rate of N185. The drivers want the rates they charge commuters to rise by 200%.
They also want the companies to reduce the commission drivers pay by 50%. Those demands have not been met, according to a statement by Jossy Olawale, chairman, media and publicity of the union.
The deadline for talks elapsed Tuesday.
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