The recent launch of Bolt's driver hub in Lagos has raised worries among local cab drivers. Some believe it could lead to Bolt treating drivers separately rather than working collectively with them.
Bolt introduced this hub to enhance the experience for its driver partners in Lagos. According to Yahaya Mohammed, Bolt's Nigeria Country Manager, the hub aims to offer better support to drivers with improved help, communication, training, community building, issue resolution, driver appreciation, and positive branding.
However, some drivers are skeptical about the hub's purpose. They think it might be a way for Bolt to deal with drivers individually and weaken their collective strength.
One driver named Emmanuel said that Bolt should focus on bargaining with drivers as a group. He said, "Bolt's actions seem to be aimed at dealing with drivers individually. Why don't they work with the union for collective bargaining?"
Comrade Ibrahim Ayoade, Secretary of the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON), shared this view. He believes that Bolt's failure to recognize the union is part of a strategy to divide and rule. He urged Bolt to engage in dialogue with AUATON.
While Bolt has introduced initiatives to support its drivers, such as a €20,000 program and a prize campaign, a 10 percent commission has sparked discontent among drivers. This commission comes with a condition: drivers must accept lower-paying rides. Drivers have criticized this condition and the pricing of these rides.
Drivers interviewed for this report stressed the need for e-hailing drivers to unite and confront app companies together for a fair business environment. They also called for government involvement to regulate the industry and protect drivers' interests.
Driver concerns in Lagos are part of a larger issue related to labor rights, collective bargaining, and the role of technology companies in the transportation sector in Nigeria.
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