Kenya: Uber drivers to earn less after company increases commission from three to 25 percent citing 'unprecedented times'
"Uber drivers face earnings drop as coronavirus bites"
Uber drivers are facing a drastic fall in earnings after the taxi-hailing firm stopped collecting three percent of fares as commission and returned the 25 percent fee, citing reduced business in the wake of coronavirus. The firm has scrapped the three percent commission and reverted to the old rates, which have been contested by drivers for a long time.
Uber said the decision was due to decreased trips demand that followed the movement restrictions imposed to curb the spread of the virus including a daily dusk-to-dawn curfew as well as the closure of schools, bars and nightclubs. “We are making these changes as a result of the unprecedented times we find ourselves in, with an aim to ensure long-term sustainability of the business,” Uber said in a letter sent to drivers last week.”...Prior to Uber’s decision in October, digital taxi operators had been grappling with frequent drivers’ strikes, with operators calling for fare increases to cover increased fuel and vehicle maintenance costs.