The Association of Online Drivers has called on ride-hailing platforms to review the 30 per cent commission charged on each trip, describing it as unsustainable and exploitative.
It stated that the high deductions by platforms such as Bolt, Yango and Uber are eroding drivers’ earnings and making it difficult for them to remain financially viable.
The Executive Chairman of the Association of Online Drivers, Augustine Mensah, speaking at a media briefing last Thursday, gave companies a one-week ultimatum to engage the association to negotiate a downward review of commissions.
“It’s GH¢15 and out of the GH¢15, because we use their platform, 30 per cent is being deducted from this GH¢15. Can this 30 per cent itself, without any deduction, fuel a driver’s tank if the tank is empty to drive for 50 minutes? The answer is no because it’s not even up to a bottle of petrol.
“On behalf of the executives of the Association of Online Drivers, and on my behalf, we demand an immediate meeting between Uber, Bolt and Yango so that we can all deliberate on how this 30 per cent charge can be dropped,” he said.
Intended action
Mr Mensah further stated that if the ride-hailing companies failed to engage the association to address their demands, members would be advised to increase their earnings in the coming months through to the end of January next year.
He further stated that the association would also petition President John Dramani Mahama on the issue if their concerns remain unresolved.
“There are a few plans, but one of it will be that we will advise our members and even non-members that this festive season, we are not going to pick passengers on the Apps. Maybe when we do that, it will compel them to do the right thing by reducing the 30 per cent.
“If they fail to meet us, we will march to the presidency to petition H.E. President John Dramani Mahama over this issue,” Mr Mensah emphasised.
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