Afrigather Twelve ride-hailing firms will start providing medical insurance to drivers within the first main win for driver welfare years after drivers began pushing for higher working circumstances and advantages.
Rida, Bosscab, SimpliRide, and indigenous Nigerian mobility suppliers like Nairaxi have agreed to supply drivers medical insurance, in line with one particular person conversant in the discussions.
“We’re nonetheless finalising the technical particulars,” the identical particular person stated, asking to not be named as he was not authorised to talk on the matter. “The preliminary providing covers drivers solely, however household protection is a future consideration.”
Advantages like medical insurance are a touchy subject within the ride-hailing business as a result of they’re tied as to if drivers must be labeled as workers or unbiased contractors. Main ride-hailing firms argue that since drivers are unbiased contractors, they need to cater to their medical insurance.
Uber, Bolt, InDrive and LagRide, 4 main ride-hailing firms should not a part of the settlement.
Bolt affords drivers medical insurance as an incentive to drivers contingent on them assembly sure targets. LagRide pulled its medical insurance advantages shortly earlier than the death of a driver Adedayo Padmore in January 2024. The loss of life of Padmore elevated the requires health insurance for drivers. A spokesperson for Indrive stated the corporate has not entered any settlement to supply drivers medical insurance.
The medical insurance plan will cowl routine medical checks, surgical procedure, most cancers therapies, ante-natal, and medicines.
“The HMO can be operational within the subsequent 90 days after we create consciousness in our state councils. We’ll begin accumulating check-off dues on the platforms that signal onto the settlement,” stated Damola Adeniran, president of the App-Primarily based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON).
The union can be engaged on membership which can assist establish members. The union will proceed to press for main ride-hailing firms to decrease their fee, and pension advantages and for a seat on the decision-making desk.
