TWU CALLS ON FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO URGENTLY REGULATE GIG ECONOMY FOLLOWING THE DEATH OF TWO FOOD DELIVERY RIDERS

The two UberEats riders were completing a delivery when they were struck and killed in a horrific crash in Kingsgrove, according to police reports.

UberEats and other delivery riders earn less than minimum wage, with some reporting payments as low as $6.67 per hour, according to a 2018 TWU survey. Riders work weekends and public holidays but earn no penalty rates.

Last Friday, an UberEats rider in WA was bashed to the point of possible permanent blindness, in the second incident of its kind since Christmas.

“Food delivery riders are at high-risk while they work, yet the Federal Government is allowing companies like UberEats to avoid providing insurance or protections. Two young people have been tragically killed, but there is nothing in place to ensure their families are compensated or supported during this terrible time. We have delivery riders being bashed and abused, with still no word from the company they’re delivering for, or from the Federal Government, who have both failed to protect them,” said Tony Sheldon, TWU’s coordinator on the on-demand economy.

UberEats is expanding to include retail partnerships, it was announced today.

The ATO recently announced tax grab plans of on-demand economy workers, while ignoring their wealthy employers’ tax avoidance, wage theft, non-payment of superannuation and refusal to cover them while they are injured or sick.

“We have heard nothing from the Federal Government on a plan to ensure food delivery companies meet minimum standards for their riders. They’ve stayed silent on widescale wage theft and non-payment of super. Yet last week we heard tax grab plans to catch these underpaid delivery riders. Since then more riders have been violently assaulted and even killed, but the Government still says nothing. That speaks volumes on how this Government views working people and whose side they are on,” Sheldon continued.

This is the second time UberEats riders have been killed on the road in Sydney. Julien Trameaux was killed in November 2017. The company sent a five-line letter of condolence to his loved ones.

“It’s alarming to see UberEats expanding with new retail partnerships without providing fair pay, training and safe systems for their riders. We’re calling on retailers to hold these companies to account for the safety of riders who will complete work on their behalf,” Sheldon continued.

Hundreds of riders have protested in Sydney and Melbourne last year demanding rights.

A survey of food delivery riders shows three out of every four riders are paid below minimum rates.

The rider survey also found:

• Almost 50% of riders had either been injured on the job or knew someone who had.
• Over 70% of riders said they should get entitlements such as sick leave or workers’ compensation.