The court ruled last month that the group of Uber drivers who bring the case to the employment tribunal are not independent contractors because their activities were “very strictly defined and controlled by Uber.” The judge cited the company’s control over fares and how it determines the terms of the contract on which drivers provide their services. The lawsuit against Uber was first filed by Yasin Aslam and James Farrar in 2016 when both men were driving for Uber.
The decision is a significant defeat for Uber in the United Kingdom, where it is under pressure from labor activists and transport regulators. Uber has defended the controversial business model of treating its workers as independent contractors, while more recently, introducing new benefits as a new intermediary.
As part of the ballot measurement, Uber continues to treat its drivers as independent contractors with the exception of some new benefits, including waiting for a piece with a minimum earnings guarantee based on “busy time” while the driver is completing a ride or delivery request. Jig companies have made it known that they plan to enforce similar laws in other states as well as enforce federal laws in the United States to strengthen their approach.
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