The Professional E-Hailing Drivers and Private-Owners Association of Nigeria (PEDPAN) has demanded that the business be properly regulated in order to guarantee worker protection, promote employee welfare, and draw in the required investors.
The group made the request in a statement released on Wednesday in Lagos and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Jossy Olawale, who said that the absence of government control and protection was a problem for the sector.
Additionally, he urged the app developers to examine their pricing structure, stop unjustly deactivating drivers, properly profile riders, and lower the commission fees.
The Ministry of Labour and Productivity’s delayed recognition of the organisation as a trade union in the e-hailing sector, according to the PEDPAN publicity secretary, is not helping the issue.
“Government has really not given required attention to this multi-billion naira sub-sector of the transportation industry in spite of several calls by PEDPAN for proper regulation that will protect drivers’ welfare and attract necessary investors,” he said.
According to him, the labour movement in Nigeria’s e-hailing transportation industry quickly developed out of a pressing necessity to safeguard workers’ (drivers’) shared interests and enhance their welfare.
“PEDPAN, therefore, is using this medium to appeal to government and labour ministry to give required attention to PEDPAN’s application for labour status,” he said.
The industry’s app companies were urged by the press secretary to collaborate with the union and put in place policies that were advantageous to all parties involved.
He urged the Ministry of Science and Technology to require app developers to properly profile passengers in order to increase driver safety.
Olawale stated that the organisation was requesting partnerships and collaboration from indigenous technology companies with extensive experience in the creation and maintenance of ride-hailing applications.
These, according to him, include domestic automakers, fleet management firms, financial and investment firms, banks and insurance firms with linked businesses, and all tiers of government.
