The tragic death of an UberEats food delivery rider in Sydney last month is a stark reminder of the need to improve safety for gig workers.
Currently transport gig workers lack basic worker protections including minimum wage, sick leave, workers’ compensation or protection from unfair contract terminations.
A recent report by the McKell Institute and the TWU found more than half of food delivery riders reported feeling pressured and rushed in order to make enough money and avoid deactivation from Apps.
81% of gig workers rely on these platforms as their main source of income.
The ACTU said UberEats had a history of denying and not reporting workplace deaths; however, this is understood to be the 12th food delivery rider death in Australia (nine of which were UberEats riders).
