Drivers union threatens to shut down Bolt app over CNG conversion, unrealistic bonuses

The Nigerian e-hailing drivers union, the Amalgamated Union of App-based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON), has threatened to boycott the Bolt app in droves because of the company’s continuous frustration with drivers on its app. This threat was contained in a letter addressed to the app company and signed by the Lagos state chairman of the union, Comrade Jaiyesimi Azeez.

In the letter titled *Open Letter: Concerns and Grievances of Drivers on the Bolt Platform*, the chairman noted that the drivers’ frustrations stem from the company’s operations and its dealing with the drivers and the unions.

“We, the representatives of the drivers’ union, write to express our deep concerns and frustrations regarding the Bolt community WhatsApp group’s management and entire bolt operations in Nigeria. Specifically, we question the purpose of this group, given the consistent deletion of vital information intended for our members. This action raises suspicions of divide and rule tactics, undermining our collective interests,” the statement reads.

The union also condemned what it described as the unauthorised use of its members’ data to negotiate with the Federal Government on its compressed natural gas initiative. The union claimed that the app company used the said data to negotiate on behalf of the union without consulting them first, an unacceptable situation.

The union said Bolt’s involvement is why other transport unions like NURTW, RTEAN, NATO, LSTCAN etc are receiving free CNG conversion kits while e-hailing drivers are denied by PCNGI. This is coupled with other challenges they face which include low fares, ridiculous pricing on the system, lack of security, overwork due to unrealistic bonus structures, hidden charges etc.

“In light of these issues, we serve notice of a potential nationwide shutdown of the Bolt app and massive migration to alternative platforms that prioritize drivers’ welfare,” the statement said.

To forestall this, the union is demanding; transparency in group management and data usage; inclusive decision-making processes; fair compensation and benefits; enhanced security measures; and realistic pricing and bonus structures.

AUATON’s threat coming when companies are trying to keep drivers

This development is coming at a time when the e-hailing space is undergoing torrid times. Huge inflation and dwindling income rates have eroded purchasing power, forcing fewer and fewer people to order rides. Crippling fuel scarcity and exploding prices mean old fares are no longer feasible, even as drivers see their earnings taking a hit.

At a time like this, e-hailing companies will be looking to keep their pilots on their platforms because people naturally go where they can find drivers. To this end, both Uber and Bolt have announced fare increases with Uber increasing its rates by 13 per cent and Bolt initiating a 15 per cent increase.

But these increases have not sated the driver-partners who have insisted both increases are not proportionate to the increase in the cost of fuel. And now, the drivers are also finding another reason to be dissatisfied with Bolt and are now looking to boycott the platform.

Bolt has always insisted on dealing with individual drivers as independent contractors as against a collective which the union represented. As such, its approach is to build an army of loyal drivers who operate exclusively on its app. If it has been able to achieve this, then it might not bother much about the union’s threat.

It, however, remains to be seen if the union will make good on its threat and what effect it could have.

See also: CNG conversion: Nigerian e-hailing union blasts 50% discount as NURTW, RTEAN get theirs free