FG approves trade union for e-hailing services

The Federal Government has granted that approval of Amalgamated Union Of App-Based Transport Workers Of Nigeria (AUATWON) to operate as a trade union.

At the official handing over of letter to the group by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, to operate as a trade union, President of AUATWON, Adedamola Adeniran, who commended the minister, said it was a step towards achieving a decent work practice in the informal sector.

Noting that the gig economy has the potential to generate employment for workers, especially youths, he said establishing the union as a trade union was paramount, in the area of social dialogue and to represent the needs, as well as concerns of workers in the app-based transport sector.

The move, he said, would protect workers on the platform economy by ensuring their safety and would promote the responsibility of app companies.

As a union, he pledged that the economic interests of members would be protected, while seeking redress for workers, who have experienced harm in the hands of their employers.

He added that the union would collaborate with the government and other stakeholders to ensure that government enacts a legislation that will regulate the app-based transport sector in Nigeria that will meet the needs and concerns of all stakeholders involved.

Over 10 associations under Professional E-hailing Drivers and Private-Owners Association of Nigeria (PEDPAN), National Union of Professional App-Based Transport Workers (NUPABTW) and National Coalition of Ride Sharing Professionals (NACORP) formed the union.

“As a union, we shall work to collaborate and partner with important stakeholders such as app companies, governments, both local and international organisations to implement projects and programmes that will provide welfare to our members and meet their needs and concerns.

“As a union, we will also work to generate scientific knowledge through principles, practices and programmes in efforts to contribute to a wider base of literature on app-based transport work and initiate policy both locally and internationally on how the system of app based transport work can be improved”, he said.