In a statement released in Lagos on Thursday, the company described the observance of Workers’ Day on May 1 as a significant way to honour the contributions of workers to national progress.

Glo commended Nigerian workers for their dedication and resilience as well as their contributions to nation building, adding that the various developmental strides of Nigeria are attributable to the efforts of labour.

While calling on workers to continue to be steadfast in the face of present challenges, Glo called on them to rededicate themselves to excellence until Nigeria becomes the reference point in every area of development.

The Workers’ Day, also known as Labour Day in some countries, is a globally observed on May 1 in acknowledgement of the sacrifices and contributions of workers to their countries’ economy and development

The drivers will stop working for 24 hours, refusing to provide services on platforms such as Uber, Bolt, and inDrive. 

This protest, timed with International Workers’ Day, seeks to highlight the challenges drivers face and demand better working conditions, fair pay, and a more respectful approach from the companies they work for.

The issues behind the protest are numerous and longstanding. Lagos Drivers, among others, have faced a range of problems including poor wages, sudden deactivations, and concerns over safety. 

The union is also fighting against excessive commission charges and policies they say exploit workers, such as mandatory facial recognition systems and a lack of proper rider identification. They argue that app companies, like Uber and Bolt, have long prioritized their profits over the well-being of their drivers.

As AUATON spokesperson Steven Iwindoye explained, despite multiple attempts at dialogue, the app companies have ignored drivers’ concerns. “We have tried dialogue, and it hasn’t worked. These companies only understand one language: the language of economic pressure,” he said. 

This strike is a direct response to the companies’ indifference to drivers’ rights and the growing feeling of exploitation within the sector.

Iwindoye, speaking on the union’s strategy, emphasized that the May Day strike would be different from previous protests. “Believe me, this will be different,” he said, stressing that the union aims to mobilize at least 5,000 drivers for the shutdown. 

They are determined to make their voices heard, hoping that the protest will send a message to app-based companies that drivers will no longer accept being treated unfairly.

In the past, similar actions have been taken, with drivers shutting down services in response to what they described as exploitative fare cuts. 

Earlier this year, Bolt reduced its fares by 50%, a move that angered drivers who felt they were already struggling to make a living. 

The company later reversed the decision after objections, but it highlighted the power dynamics between drivers and the app companies. Drivers see such fare slashes as a deliberate strategy to increase market share at their expense.

The union also called out inDrive, another ride-hailing service, for slashing fares, forcing drivers to work for lower wages. “The only Play drive Indrive has is a low price. Nothing more,” one driver said, describing the company’s pricing tactics as unsustainable for those providing the services.

With these unresolved issues continuing to fester, the AUATON is determined to use this May Day strike to make a real impact. The protest is not just a local affair but part of a global call to action for better treatment of app-based drivers worldwide.

For many drivers, the shutdown is a fight for dignity and a better quality of life. “The job is ridiculing a lot of drivers, and it is sad. Some drivers can’t even fix their cars when they break down,” one driver shared, highlighting the harsh realities they face. 

The strike is an attempt to push against policies that damage their livelihoods, forcing them to work in conditions they deem unsafe and unfair.

The webinar, slated for May 6, 2022, by 11am is in commemoration of Workers’ day and it will feature a carefully selected panel of speakers; notably Jimi Ogbobine, Head of Agusto Consulting, business experts from the bank’s Treasury and Consumer Products teams, as well as Ecobank Development Corporation (EDC), the bespoke investment arm of the Ecobank Group.

The registration link is here.

Speaking ahead of the event, Korede Demola-Adeniyi, head, Consumer Banking, Ecobank Nigeria, said the webinar will focus essentially on the investment opportunities available to customers and non-customers considering current macro-economic realities, adding that it will also provide a guide to investment in key sectors and the banks offerings to help them get the best out of today’s financial landscape.

According to her, “The purely virtual webinar is designed for workers,  salary earners, business owners and open to everyone. A consumer banking webinar of this magnitude is one of the numerous ways we retain our leading position as a Pan-African Bank and our customers’ preferred financial partner and this year’s Workers’ Day celebration gives us another opportunity to provide them value that goes beyond banking.”

She further explained that “In putting together this webinar, our goal is to provide every individual; irrespective of their location, class or income range, the right financial advice to help them unlock maximum value for their money. People work hard for their money and they deserve to acquire the insights that will help them put their money to work. We believe this webinar will help them achieve that.”

While imploring members of the public to join the webinar, Mrs. Demola-Adeniyi maintained: “The webinar is bound to provide financial education and financial planning tips to our customers and every other participant. “Participants will be informed about relevant investment opportunities to create wealth and most importantly, how the bank can be useful to them at this time. “It is important to make an informed decision regarding how to manage your money.”

Ecobank Nigeria Ltd. is a subsidiary of the Ecobank Group, the leading Pan-African banking group with operations in 33 African countries and an international presence in four locations (London, Paris, Beijing, and Dubai).

Ecobank Nigeria is a full-service bank providing wholesale, retail, investment and transaction banking services and products to governments, financial institutions, multinationals, international organizations, medium, small and micro businesses and individuals.

Ecobank is a major player in the distribution of financial services in Nigeria, leveraging digital platforms including Ecobank Mobile App and USSD *326#, Ecobank Online, Ecobank OmniPlus, Ecobank Omnilite, EcobankPay, Ecobank RapidTransfer, ATMs, POSs and an extensive distribution network of over 250 branches and over 50,000 agency banking locations.