The Online Drivers Union is calling for an increase in their fares commensurate with the increment in fuel prices.
Speaking to Citi Business News, the President of the Online Drivers Union, Francis Tenge believes their demand is critical to sustaining their livelihoods.
“What we want is there should be a corresponding increment in the base fare for we drivers to also survive. At the end of the day, we have families to take care of and bills to pay.”
He further called on the government to regulate the activities of ride-hailing companies to protect indigenous interests.
“For us to survive, the government must come on board.”
“It’s easy for us to be regulated because of our database and the uniqueness of our jobs. The government must intervene for us and bargain the prices the same way they deal with GPRTU”
Fuel prices have hit an all-time high increasing in some cases by over 200 per cent in some cases since the start of 2022.
Aside from the hike in fuel prices, these drivers also have to pay between 20 and 25 per cent on each trip they complete on the platforms.
Although the ride-hailing app companies reviewed their rates upwards, the drivers insist it isn’t enough to mitigate the current economic situation in the country.’
On many occasions, these drivers have besieged the app companies’ premises to protest their service conditions.
They have in some cases also embarked on strikes and did not operate.
Even though this to some extent impacted commuters, these were short-lived in most cases.
