The Digital Transport Workers Union (DTWU) has called on ride-hailing drivers to consider local platform VaMijo as a credible alternative to the multinational platforms that are insensitive to their welfare.
The union’s National Vice Chairman, Mahama Inusa, said VaMijo met with the union’s leadership and expressed openness to work with drivers to address their concerns.
Speaking at a press conference to announce the strike, Mr Inusa accused foreign-owned ride-hailing platforms of imposing excessive service charges, saying deductions had risen from 10 per cent to as high as 35 per cent on individual trips.
“On some trips, these platforms charge as much as 35 per cent in service fees. They are exploiting drivers. When they first entered the market, they charged 10 per cent. At the time, there were only about 10 cars operating on the platform. Today, we have more than 2,000 drivers using these apps, yet the service charge has increased to 35 per cent. How can that be justified? We have done everything possible to get them to reduce their charges, but our efforts have been unsuccessful,” he said.
He encouraged drivers to consider local ride-hailing platforms, particularly VaMijo, which he said offered more favourable terms.
“I am encouraging drivers to consider other local ride-hailing platforms. VaMijo is offering us a good deal. I am urging drivers to stop working on all the other apps and use only VaMijo,” Mr Inusa said.
In an earlier account of the union’s position, Mr Inusa explained that VaMijo allows drivers to choose between paying a flat daily fee of GH¢24 to operate throughout the day, regardless of the number of trips completed, or a 10 per cent service charge.
The union said VaMijo’s willingness to engage with drivers contrasted with what it described as unsuccessful attempts to persuade other ride-hailing companies to reduce their charges.
The DTWU has scheduled the sit-down strike to begin on November 5, urging drivers to stop working on the affected applications during the industrial action.
