GIG WORKER RIGHTS NOT SO COMPLICATED AFTER ALL

Uber will pay its UK drivers the minimum wage, holiday pay and pensions – but the Morrison Government maintains it’s too “complicated” to deliver similar rights for gig workers here in Australia.

Uber has been forced to act after the UK Supreme Court ruled drivers are entitled to minimum pay and protections, rejecting the kinds of arguments advanced by Scott Morrison and Christian Porter that rideshare drivers and food delivery riders have the power of independent contractors.

Australia doesn’t need to wait for the courts here to find the same thing. The Government could act right now to stop the exploitation of gig workers.

It’s not complicated – you just have to want to do it.

These workers are being ripped off and forced to work in dangerous conditions, resulting in the deaths of five delivery riders late last year.

That’s why an Albanese Labor Government will give the Fair Work Commission expanded powers to ensure gig workers are properly paid and protected.

Uber has confirmed decision to finally do right by UK workers won’t result in higher fees for customers. That proves the big multinational firms can absorb the cost of these sorts of changes.

Sadly, we have a government that seems to think it’s all too hard to fix and gig workers just aren’t worth the effort.

Asked last month if these workers should be paid the minimum wage, Mr Porter’s response was “it’s complicated”.

The whole concept of the minimum wage is that no worker will be paid less. But we have a government that can’t even bring itself to back that fundamental principle.

It’s not complicated. No worker should be paid less than the legal minimum.

Australia deserves better than a government that dodges responsibility and throws its hands in the air when there are problems to solve.

Labor has a plan to fix these problems with its Secure Australian Jobs Plan because Labor is on the side of workers.

WEDNESDAY, 17 MARCH 2021