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
Qantas workers warned of stand-downs as unions rehash calls for ‘Aviation Keeper'
Workers at the national airline have been warned that the COVID-19 border closures could mean the airline will stand down employees again, as the unions call for government support. ...Read more
Salary
Struggling to find staff? Your inaction on social issues could be to blame
Australian employees are increasingly likely to call it quits with a company that has a poor record on social issues or mental health, new research has shown. ...Read more
Salary
Job losses rise as $155m in disaster payments is deposited into accounts
Australia’s decade-low unemployment rate is set to spike just as the country’s efforts were being celebrated, with key stakeholders questioning whether current government support goes far enough i...Read more
Salary
Time to get older Aussies back in the workforce: ANZ
A big four bank CEO is encouraging older Australians to return to the workforce, as the country continues to battle skill shortages led by the closure of international borders. ...Read more
Salary
Unemployment falls to decade low
Australia’s unemployment rate has fallen below 5 per cent for the first time in over a decade, official figures have revealed. ...Read more
Salary
Debunking the mystery: What counts as essential work or an essential item?
The NSW government has refused to define what essential work is or what it considers an essential good, despite placing Sydneysiders under strict stay-at-home orders which prohibit people leaving home...Read more
Salary
Australia’s top-paid CEO revealed
The COVID-19 pandemic has seen a change in investor sentiment when it comes to bonuses, leading to a new top 10, new research has revealed. ...Read more
Salary
Lockdowns see need for minimum income floor
The government has been urged to fix COVID income support for those affected by lockdowns, with measures including adding top-ups to the COVID-19 Disaster Payment and extending eligibility vital to e...Read more
Do lockdowns boost property prices? Are short-sellers levelling the playing field? Did you lodge your tax returns early?
Listen now
Will lockdowns halt the housing boom? Is the metaverse taking over? And the cons of lodging your tax returns early
Listen now
Are you being priced out of the market? Have you got the Tuesday blues? And are you ready for the upcoming super changes?
Listen now
Are property prices set to crash? Should you jump on board the fintok craze? And how to prepare for this tax time
Listen now
Salary
Qantas workers warned of stand-downs as unions rehash calls for ‘Aviation Keeper'
Workers at the national airline have been warned that the COVID-19 border closures could mean the airline will stand down employees again, as the unions call for government support. ...Read more
Salary
Struggling to find staff? Your inaction on social issues could be to blame
Australian employees are increasingly likely to call it quits with a company that has a poor record on social issues or mental health, new research has shown. ...Read more
Salary
Job losses rise as $155m in disaster payments is deposited into accounts
Australia’s decade-low unemployment rate is set to spike just as the country’s efforts were being celebrated, with key stakeholders questioning whether current government support goes far enough i...Read more
Salary
Time to get older Aussies back in the workforce: ANZ
A big four bank CEO is encouraging older Australians to return to the workforce, as the country continues to battle skill shortages led by the closure of international borders. ...Read more
Salary
Unemployment falls to decade low
Australia’s unemployment rate has fallen below 5 per cent for the first time in over a decade, official figures have revealed. ...Read more
Salary
Debunking the mystery: What counts as essential work or an essential item?
The NSW government has refused to define what essential work is or what it considers an essential good, despite placing Sydneysiders under strict stay-at-home orders which prohibit people leaving home...Read more
Salary
Australia’s top-paid CEO revealed
The COVID-19 pandemic has seen a change in investor sentiment when it comes to bonuses, leading to a new top 10, new research has revealed. ...Read more
Salary
Lockdowns see need for minimum income floor
The government has been urged to fix COVID income support for those affected by lockdowns, with measures including adding top-ups to the COVID-19 Disaster Payment and extending eligibility vital to e...Read more
More articles
Website Notifications
Get notifications in real-time for staying up to date with content that matters to you.
