Ride-hailing services across the country are expected to face major disruptions from November 5 after the Digital Transport Workers Union (DTWU) declared a sit-down strike over high platform fees and deteriorating working conditions.
The union, which represents drivers on major platforms such as Bolt, Yango, and Uber, accused the companies of increasing service charges without consultation while neglecting the welfare of the drivers who sustain their businesses.
Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, DTWU National Vice Chairman Mahama Inusa said earlier engagements with the leadership of the multinational ride-hailing companies had failed to produce positive results.
He noted that although the firms describe their relationship with drivers as a partnership, their corporate decisions continue to disadvantage workers without meaningful consultation.
As part of the industrial action, drivers have been directed to switch off competing applications and move to Vamijo, a local ride-hailing platform that offers a more driver-friendly commission structure.
Under the arrangement, drivers pay a flat daily fee of GH¢24 or a maximum service charge of 10 per cent, compared with established platforms that deduct as much as 30 per cent from individual trip earnings.
The union also said Vamijo management representatives had met with its executives to discuss drivers’ concerns, describing the engagement as a sign of the platform’s commitment to supporting local transport workers.
The DTWU has called on the government to intervene by introducing a robust regulatory framework to oversee ride-hailing services.
The union’s leadership has also appealed for state-supported vehicle acquisition programmes, proposing that recognised transport associations make electric cars available to reduce the high purchase and maintenance costs drivers face.
