GIG STANDARDS CRITICAL AS UBER SLASHES RATES: TWU

Uber rideshare drivers are facing cuts to their earnings from next month as the gig economy continues to spiral without the safety net of enforceable standards.

The TWU has called on all industry stakeholders to get behind urgent minimum standards applications as soon as new laws come into effect to begin building a safer, fairer industry for workers, companies and customers.

World-first legislation empowering the Fair Work Commission to set enforceable standards for gig economy workers in transport was passed by Federal Parliament in February and will soon be enacted.

Standards applications to the Commission can be made from August 26^th, which will be subject to a thorough consultation process before standards can be set and later enforced.

Last night, Uber contacted rideshare drivers advising them of changes to rates from 7^thAugust which said: “In most cases, the rates will be lower than those currently used.”

A 2023 McKell survey of transport gig workers found three-quarters work long hours to pay the bills, while two-thirds of full-time workers earn less than minimum wage.

TWU National Secretary Michael Kaine said rideshare drivers are once again bearing the brunt of a market that’s been battered by an absence of regulation.

“Some of the most vulnerable and underpaid workers in our economy are once again facing cuts to their earnings in a market that’s in freefall. Rideshare drivers with no rights to minimum wage or other entitlements have spent the night wondering how they’re going to pay the bills next month.

“This is a direct consequence of a decade of the Coalition Government rolling out the red carpet for gig exploitation disguised behind shiny new apps, without putting in place protections for workers. The Albanese Government has introduced world-first legislation to give rights to these workers, but standards continue to spiral while laws get off the ground.

“The longer it takes for a minimum standards order to be determined, the lower pay and conditions will sink. We need to see the industry come together with maximum support for early minimum standards orders so the process can move as efficiently as possible to stabilise the market.

“Stopping the freefall with a safety net of binding standards that can be built up over time is critically urgent for gig workers and companies alike.”