Food delivery workers in the gig transport economy are among Australia’s most exploited workers.

After costs many make below minimum wage, under deadly pressure to speed and take risks to earn enough, and to avoid being deactivated from an app.

Since 2017, 17 food delivery riders have been killed on our roads. Urgent standards can help save lives.

But the gig economy is also a huge threat to the rest of the transport industry.

We need to get a safety net in place in food delivery so that workers are paid appropriately, can access leave, injury insurance and union representation.

Though we won’t achieve everything from the beginning, this first phase is crucial in bringing up the gig transport economy to protect workers and the rest of the industry. We’ll also be consulting with rideshare drivers on standards that work in the context of the passenger transport industry.