The United States based ride hailing company Uber was dealt a severe blow by Britain's Supreme Court which ruled on Friday that a group of drivers of the company are entitled to worker rights such as the minimum wage. According to analysts, this court ruling could have much wider impact on the millions of workers of the so called gig economy.
Back in 2016, a London employment tribunal, in relation to a case filed by two drivers of Uber, had ruled that the drivers were entitled to get due entitlements of workers such as paid holidays and rest breaks.
"The Supreme Court unanimously dismisses Uber's appeal," judge George Leggatt said. "The legislation is intended to give certain protections to vulnerable individuals who have little or no say over their pay and working conditions."
The ride hailing company currently identifies its drivers as self-employed which mean that in the eyes of the law, these drivers are entitled to only minimal rights and protections.
The ruling of the British Court relates to only a small number of drivers, said Uber while reacting to the ruling, and added that a consultation process would now be started by it on the changes that would now be needed to be made.
Uber's Northern and Eastern Europe boss Jamie Heywood said that the company respects the decision of the top British court and added that the decision was focused only on a small number of drivers who used the Uber app in 2016. Heywood added that the company was committed to doing more and “will now consult with every active driver across the UK to understand the changes they want to see."
(Source:www.livemint.com)
Back in 2016, a London employment tribunal, in relation to a case filed by two drivers of Uber, had ruled that the drivers were entitled to get due entitlements of workers such as paid holidays and rest breaks.
"The Supreme Court unanimously dismisses Uber's appeal," judge George Leggatt said. "The legislation is intended to give certain protections to vulnerable individuals who have little or no say over their pay and working conditions."
The ride hailing company currently identifies its drivers as self-employed which mean that in the eyes of the law, these drivers are entitled to only minimal rights and protections.
The ruling of the British Court relates to only a small number of drivers, said Uber while reacting to the ruling, and added that a consultation process would now be started by it on the changes that would now be needed to be made.
Uber's Northern and Eastern Europe boss Jamie Heywood said that the company respects the decision of the top British court and added that the decision was focused only on a small number of drivers who used the Uber app in 2016. Heywood added that the company was committed to doing more and “will now consult with every active driver across the UK to understand the changes they want to see."
(Source:www.livemint.com)
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