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Labor Rights
In the eyes of the law, gig workers are independent contractors and not employees. Nigeria does not even have legislation that defines who an independent contractor is, let alone gig workers being granted special benefits.
Regulation
Law does not regulate gig work in Nigeria. Along with the fact that they are not even recognized as employees, this lack of regulation makes it extremely difficult for them to win court cases. The common law principles of service contracts are usually used to judge court cases.
9 thousand
Ride-hailing drivers in Nigeria now. Over 250,000 rides a month. This number is increasing rapidly.
84.6 million
Broadband subscribers in June 2022 (country’s broadband penetration = 44.49%). This has improved access to the gig economy.
64 percent
Young population among unemployed Nigerians. They could potentially join the gig economy quite easily.
NIGERIAN GIG NEWS
- The entry of Uber and Bolt has led to traditional taxi drivers losing customers, forcing them to make the shift online.
- The largest city in Nigeria, Lagos, has banned all motorcycle taxis (okadas), thought to cause almost 50% of all accidents in the city.
- Many drivers selling their accounts have led to many passenger attacks, affecting the public reputation of ride-hailing services.
- The ongoing scarcity has increased fuel prices, subjecting many drivers to losses.
- Port Harcourt imposed huge taxes on ride-hailing drivers.
- There have been many protests about the poor treatment of workers by the companies, like unjustified blocking of accounts.
- And lastly, in a recent case, the court did recognize that forms of work have changed and that traditional distinctions between the worker and the employer no longer exist or have been stretched to absurd limits.
SUPPORT RESOURCES FOR WORKERS
- Professional E-Hailing Drivers and Private Owners Association (PEDPA). They organize campaigns and strikes to demand better working conditions. They also talk to the press and government quite often about drivers issues.
- National Union of Professional App-based Workers (NUPABW). They represent all app-based workers, increasing awareness about workers' issues. However, platform companies can refuse to recognize them until they become a formally established union, which they have not been able to till date.
UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES FOR GIG WORKERS
- Glovo provides gig workers with motorcycles that they can lease for affordable prices.
- ImaliPay has provided drivers with many financial services, such as savings, loans, and insurance.
- SnapShap has been giving special training to increase the workers’ skill level, making them more capable and efficient at their job.
Copyright - WageIndicator March 2023 (data collected between October 2022 and January 2023)