May 10, 2023
The Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transport Workers of Nigeria (AUATWON) has appealed to the Federal Government to urgently issue its certificate of unionisation.
It said this was necessary after it was approved to be registered as a trade union in January 2023.
The union’s President, Mr Adedamola Adeniran, spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, had on Jan. 25, presented letters of approval of registration to the union.
Adeniran, however, expressed dismay over alleged petition by two app-based companies including Uber and Bolt to the ministry of labour calling for disapproval of the registration.
He alleged that the companies had made the petition on the grounds that members of the union were not workers and should not be granted certification.
“The companies plan to use that as tactics to continue subjecting the workers to perpetual enslavement and exploitation.
“We therefore, call on the labour minister, Ngige, and registrar of trade union in the ministry to immediately issue the certificate after issuing the approval letter since Jan. 23, 2023 and expiration of the 90 days period.
“The union, however, maintains that the ministry has done well for approving the first platform workers union in gig economy in Africa and the entire world and should not fall into Uber and Bolt’s lobby, “ he said.
The union leader congratulated and thanked members for their participation at the recent Workers’ Day celebrations.
He said members’ participation was a sign that the app-based transport workers in Nigeria were ready to correct the wrongs done by app-based companies.
Adeniran said the workers would do everything to fight for justice, fairness and good welfare.
“The union used the May Day as an opportunity to display their displeasure over unfavorable practices of app-based companies like Uber and Bolt.
“These practices include unjustifiable deactivation, poor pricing, huge commission, and prevention of workers’ rights to unionise, “ Adeniran said.
Also, speaking to NAN, the union’s Chairman, Media and Publicity Committee, Mr Jossy Olawale, called for media collaboration.
He said this was to ensure matters affecting the union were brought to the attention of stakeholders for its advancement.
“We also call for investors in insurance and health; car finance and leasing; car manufacturers and banks, to invest in the opportunities provided by the sector. “ (NAN)
