Uber CEO says they’re ready to work with policymakers to provide a better deal for platform workers
Uber CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi, has said the company is ready to work with policy makers, industry peers and social representatives, to provide a better deal for European platform workers.
In a public statement, Dara highlighted the “critical role” he believes platform workers have played during the global pandemic, but said the current crisis has shown “that there is still too much uncertainty about how this important type of work is classified and protected”.
Dara added that the company is now committed to change and stressed that the firm believes independent workers across Europe “deserve better”.
He said they deserve work that offers flexibility and decent earning opportunities when they want it, and protection and benefits when they need it.
Dara touches on a more fair and transparent earning structure. The company is calling on policymakers, other platforms and social representatives, to move quickly to build a framework for flexible earning opportunities, with industry-wide standards that “all platform companies must provide for independent workers”.
Dara added: “Critically, whatever the model, there must be an industry level playing field to ensure all independent workers have consistent earnings whichever app they choose to work on.”
Moving on to better protections and relevant benefits for independent workers, Dara said they need new solutions to standardise and improve access in such an area, and believes reform is needed to modernise the social safety net.
Dara said: “This could include helping platform workers pay into existing public social protection schemes. Or it could mean an industry-funded portable benefits fund, allowing platform workers to accrue funds to access to the protections and benefits they want - whether it’s paid time off or support long-term life goals like starting a family or enhancing their education.”
He concluded: “The time to act is now. We need more jobs, not fewer, we believe Uber and other platforms can be a bridge to a sustainable economic recovery, if together with governments and social representatives we establish a better deal for all platform workers.”
This week on Friday 19 February, the Supreme Court in the UK will determine whether ride-hailing firm Uber must provide its drivers basic workers’ rights, which includes holiday pay and the minimum wage for the hours they work.
The legal action is being brought by Uber drivers, represented by law firm Leigh Day, who argue that Uber should provide its drivers with paid holiday and ensure they are paid at least the minimum wage.
For more details on the up-and-coming judgement, read: Supreme Court set to deliver long-awaited verdict on Uber workers’ rights case.
