Earn
UK’s top court declares Uber drivers ‘workers’ in landmark case
The UK Supreme Court has ruled that Uber must clarify its drivers as workers instead of independent contractors, which could have major implications for the gig economy worldwide.
UK’s top court declares Uber drivers ‘workers’ in landmark case
The UK Supreme Court has ruled that Uber must clarify its drivers as workers instead of independent contractors, which could have major implications for the gig economy worldwide.

For years, Uber has claimed that drivers are self-employed, independent contractors and not workers for the company.
However, the UK’s top court found that drivers were in fact employees due to Uber controlling remunerations of drivers, contractual terms and drivers’ choices about whether to accept requests for rides.
The court found that the drivers were “in a position of subordination and dependency... such that they have little or no ability to improve their economic position through professional or entrepreneurial skill”.
“The drivers were rightly found to be ‘workers’,” the judges said.

GMB Union, who took Uber to the Supreme Court, said it was a historic win in the union’s landmark worker’s rights case against Uber.
“This has been a gruelling four-year legal battle for our members – but it’s ended in a historic win. Uber must now stop wasting time and money pursuing lost legal causes and do what’s right by the drivers who prop up its empire,” said Mick Rix, GMB national officer.
Implications for Australia
Following Britain’s Supreme Court decision, Australian politicians are putting pressure to implement similar rules.
Federal Labor has previously promised that it would change domestic industrial relations laws, which would allow workers in the gig economy to be paid a minimum wage.
“We don’t really want people being held victim to a model,” shadow minister for industry and innovation Ed Husic told Sky news.
“A lot of people have taken it up during the pandemic, with 50,000 sole traders emerging in the employment stats, which indicates people moved to the gig economy to get some sort of work in the interim.”
“We need to be mindful of the conditions, safety with the workplace system and the laws around it to take into account new models emerging particularly in the gig economy.”
Victorian MP Rod Barton is also calling for domestic standards to be applied across the southern state.
“We have seen time and time again that Uber considers drivers not to be employees, exposing workers to unfair standards and poor review processes,” he said.
“It is for that reason we ask: why is the Victorian government rewarding Uber’s poor corporate behaviour with access to the multimillion-dollar Multi-Purpose Taxi Program,” he said.
Mr Barton said considering the United Kingdom’s Supreme Court ruling, it is time for the Victorian government to step up, take onboard the judge’s statement and rationale, and protect Victorian Uber drivers from potential exploitation and unfair working conditions.
About the author

About the author


Salary
The financial benefits of a diversified income stream
In today’s volatile economic environment, relying solely on a single source of income can be risky. Diversifying your income streams can provide financial stability, reduce the risk of financial ...Read more

Salary
Despite losing top spot, Elon Musk rakes in $400,000 hourly
Elon Musk, the entrepreneur known for his involvement in a wide range of innovative and technological businesses, has recently been dethroned as the wealthiest individual in the world, with Bernard ...Read more

Salary
Rising unemployment and skill shortages prompt Australian businesses to look globally for talent
Australia has witnessed its unemployment rate surging above 4% for the first time in two years, revealed by the latest Labour Force data. Read more

Salary
New findings link job mobility hurdles to stagnant wage growth
Recent research from the e61 Institute has unearthed significant links between slow wage growth in Australia and obstacles to job mobility, including non-compete clauses, complicated occupational ...Read more

Salary
Employers scrambling to prevent workplace brain drain
As workplace managers face a swiftly evolving employment market that’s increasingly favouring the demands of white-collar employees and jobseekers, bosses are falling under mounting pressure to ...Read more

Salary
Unions back Albanese’s pledge to close gender pay gap
An electoral promise from Labor to make gender pay equity an objective of the Fair Work Act has been hailed as a “watershed moment” from industry peak bodies who have traditionally advocated for ...Read more

Salary
Coles asked to disprove $115m in alleged wage theft
One of Australia’s biggest supermarkets faces allegations that it underpaid more than 7,500 employees a total of $115 million. Read more

Salary
Gen Z left behind in progress to gender equality
Women under 25 may emerge from the pandemic in a worse financial position than when it began, new research has shown. Read more

Salary
The financial benefits of a diversified income stream
In today’s volatile economic environment, relying solely on a single source of income can be risky. Diversifying your income streams can provide financial stability, reduce the risk of financial ...Read more

Salary
Despite losing top spot, Elon Musk rakes in $400,000 hourly
Elon Musk, the entrepreneur known for his involvement in a wide range of innovative and technological businesses, has recently been dethroned as the wealthiest individual in the world, with Bernard ...Read more

Salary
Rising unemployment and skill shortages prompt Australian businesses to look globally for talent
Australia has witnessed its unemployment rate surging above 4% for the first time in two years, revealed by the latest Labour Force data. Read more

Salary
New findings link job mobility hurdles to stagnant wage growth
Recent research from the e61 Institute has unearthed significant links between slow wage growth in Australia and obstacles to job mobility, including non-compete clauses, complicated occupational ...Read more

Salary
Employers scrambling to prevent workplace brain drain
As workplace managers face a swiftly evolving employment market that’s increasingly favouring the demands of white-collar employees and jobseekers, bosses are falling under mounting pressure to ...Read more

Salary
Unions back Albanese’s pledge to close gender pay gap
An electoral promise from Labor to make gender pay equity an objective of the Fair Work Act has been hailed as a “watershed moment” from industry peak bodies who have traditionally advocated for ...Read more

Salary
Coles asked to disprove $115m in alleged wage theft
One of Australia’s biggest supermarkets faces allegations that it underpaid more than 7,500 employees a total of $115 million. Read more

Salary
Gen Z left behind in progress to gender equality
Women under 25 may emerge from the pandemic in a worse financial position than when it began, new research has shown. Read more