Lagos House of Assembly Summons Ride-hailing Companies Over Full Worker Status For Drivers

The Lagos House of Assembly has taken a major step towards addressing the concerns of ride-hailing drivers by summoning ride-hailing companies like Uber, Bolt, inDrive, and others to a public hearing. This move comes after a strong petition from the Lagos State Council of the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON), which is demanding full worker status for drivers and better working conditions.

The Lagos House of Assembly summons ride-hailing companies to answer questions about how drivers are treated and to discuss the possibility of granting full worker status for drivers. The union’s petition highlights several issues, including insecurity, unfair labour practices, and lack of proper regulations within the ride-hailing sector. According to AUATON, drivers have faced exploitation, poor pay, and dangerous working conditions for too long.

One of the main demands is for drivers to be recognised as full workers, not just independent contractors. This would mean drivers get more rights, such as job security, welfare benefits, and the ability to negotiate better pay. The union argues that ride-hailing companies currently treat drivers as disposable, with little concern for their welfare or income stability. Drivers say commissions can be as high as 30 percent, leaving them with little profit after expenses like fuel and car maintenance.

The petition also points out that safety is a big problem. There have been cases where drivers or passengers have been attacked because of poor verification systems on the apps. The union wants the Lagos House of Assembly to force companies to introduce stricter checks for both drivers and passengers, using national IDs to make the platforms safer for everyone.

Another complaint is about how ride-hailing companies set prices. The union claims that companies change fares and commissions without asking drivers, often making it impossible for them to earn a decent living. Drivers also say that, despite high deductions from their earnings, there is no welfare support or insurance for them if they get sick or have an accident.

AUATON’s petition also accuses ride-hailing companies of refusing to recognise the union or allow drivers to organise and bargain collectively, which is a right under Nigerian and international labour laws. There have also been reports of drivers’ accounts being deactivated without warning, especially if they take part in protests or speak up about their rights.

In response to these issues, the Lagos House of Assembly’s summon over full worker status for drivers is seen as a chance to create new rules that protect drivers and make the ride-hailing industry fairer. The union is calling for a Restorative Justice Conference in July 2025, where government officials, ride-hailing companies, and drivers can sit down together to agree on new policies. They want these policies to have legal backing and a clear plan for putting them into action.

If the companies do not cooperate, the union has threatened to picket their offices and even move to local ride-hailing apps that are willing to treat drivers better. Already, some drivers are working on building their own app-based platform to ensure fairer treatment.

The Lagos House of Assembly summoning ride-hailing companies is a significant moment for the gig economy in Nigeria. It shows that lawmakers are starting to take the concerns of ride-hailing drivers seriously and may soon introduce new laws to guarantee full worker status for drivers, better pay, and safer working conditions.

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