Uber and Deliveroo in Australia will be investigated by the Senate
Uber and Deliveroo are likely to be among the first ‘sharing economy’ companies to be investigated for the precariousness of their workers, to analyze the impacts of precarious or insecure employment.
Set out late Thursday, the investigation will look at a variety of issues related to unsafe work, including how the COVID-19 pandemic has changed consumer trends.
“The pandemic has accelerated what was already a growing wave of unsafe work in Australia,” said Labor Senator and former National Secretary of the Transport Workers’ Union Tony Sheldon.
Senator Sheldon said the committee would focus on companies from a wide range of industries seeking to utilize a work-for-hire economy framework.
“We know that in all sectors, from food delivery to elderly care, from retail to information technology, companies are designing their business models to avoid minimum payment fees, licenses, workers compensation and retirement ».
Senator Sheldon has previously expressed concern about the National Disability Insurance Agency’s advocacy for apps that link NDIS participants with disability support workers.
“This research will look closely at the loopholes in our current labor laws and the impact of unsafe work on Australians’ ability to save, buy a home and have a decent retirement.”
The committee’s terms of reference establish that the investigation will review and report on “the impact of insecure or precarious employment on the economy, wages, social cohesion, and labor rights and conditions.”
“Job insecurity and lack of regulation has been a disaster.”
Uber and Deliveroo in Australia will be investigated by the Senate
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