DRIVERS SQUEEZED: Over 10,000 petition for Uber to lower fees to 15% and raise fare prices
Over 10,000 people have signed a petition asking for ride-hailing firm Uber to provide a real living wage and drop commission rates to 15%.
The petition hosted on Organise is addressed to Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi and asks the global company to increase the price of an Uber ride and lower commission paid by its thousands of drivers.
Uber currently takes 25% of the value of each ride completed by private hire vehicle (PHV) drivers on the platform. Higher operating costs and inflation has pushed its drivers to ask for more money.
Uber first began operating in the UK in 2012 and quickly became a popular transportation option due to its low prices and slick marketing. Since then the company has also faced significant legal and regulatory challenges.
One of the longest running issues had been the classification of Uber drivers as independent contractors rather than employees, which has led to legal battles over workers' rights and protections. There have also been concerns raised about passenger safety and security, as well as the impact of Uber on the traditional taxi industry.
In 2016, the UK Employment Tribunal ruled that Uber drivers were workers and not self-employed, and thus were entitled to workers' rights such as holiday pay, minimum wage and sick pay.
Uber appealed the decision and later in 2018, the UK's Central London Employment Tribunal upheld the original decision.
Uber has also faced legal challenges from drivers in other countries who have argued that they should be considered employees and be entitled to rights such as minimum wage and overtime pay.
