{"id":182790,"date":"2021-02-19T12:11:51","date_gmt":"2021-02-19T09:11:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/uk-top-court-to-rule-on-uber-drivers-status\/"},"modified":"2021-02-19T12:11:51","modified_gmt":"2021-02-19T09:11:51","slug":"uk-top-court-to-rule-on-uber-drivers-status","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/uk-top-court-to-rule-on-uber-drivers-status\/","title":{"rendered":"#UK top court to rule on Uber drivers’ status"},"content":{"rendered":"

“#UK top court to rule on Uber drivers’ status<\/strong>”<\/p>\n

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\n Uber drivers in Britain have also held strikes to get better wages and benefits, such as this in London in 2018
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Britain’s Supreme Court is to rule Friday on the employment status of Uber drivers in a judgement with wider implications for the “gig economy”.<\/p>\n

The ruling is set for 0945 GMT after a years-long legal battle, with the US taxi and delivery company suffering court defeats in 2017 and 2018.<\/p>\n

Lower courts have ruled in favour of a group of 20 Uber drivers who argue they were entitled to employee status given the length of time they had been working through the Uber app<\/a>, and the way that the company oversaw their work.<\/p>\n

Employee status would mean that they were entitled to benefits including a minimum hourly wage and paid holidays.<\/p>\n

Uber insists that the drivers are self-employed since they choose their own hours and place of work, and often find passengers through rival apps.<\/p>\n

If the Supreme Court finds against Uber, the complainants who launched the case can ask an employment tribunal for compensation, and it could trigger further-reaching changes affecting all ride-hailing drivers.<\/p>\n

The ruling could equally affect the online platforms behind the so-called gig economy in Britain\u2014people doing short-term work without formal contracts, or working without guaranteed hours.<\/p>\n

Couriers for the Deliveroo food app are currently fighting in the Court of Appeal in London for the right to collective bargaining.<\/p>\n

Uber says that it has changed the way it works since the legal action began.<\/p>\n

Drivers can now choose when and where they drive and can also access free health insurance as well as compensation for parental leave, it says.<\/p>\n

Paid holiday demand<\/b><\/p>\n

Ahead of the court ruling, Uber vowed to increase protection for drivers while keeping them self-employed.<\/p>\n

Uber chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi on Monday presented a series<\/a> of promises to European governments and trade unions.<\/p>\n

He said the aim was to offer a transparent and fair pay structure, and more benefits to drivers.<\/p>\n

Uber is calling for companies in the sector to form a joint fund that would allow drivers who work for different apps to be able to access protections and benefits such as paid holidays.<\/p>\n

Uber plans to replicate in Europe proposals it first made in California, after a court in the US state ordered the platform to classify its tens of thousands of drivers as employees.<\/p>\n

But voters in November then backed Proposition 22, a measure designed by Uber and other gig companies that would mean drivers remained independent contractors while receiving some benefits.<\/p>\n

Friday’s decision is not expected to affect Uber’s right to operate in London, which has been subject to a separate dispute.<\/p>\n

The platform last September regained the right in London for 18 months, after a court overruled a decision by city authorities to suspend its licence due to concerns over passenger security.\n <\/p>\n\n

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Uber in London court in employment case<\/a>\n <\/div>\n

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\n \u00a9 2021 AFP<\/p>\n

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Citation<\/strong>:
\n UK top court to rule on Uber drivers’ status (2021, February 19)
\n retrieved 19 February 2021
\n from https:\/\/techxplore.com\/news<\/a>\/2021-02-uk-court-uber-drivers-status.html<\/p>\n

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\n part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n