The UKsupreme courthas just heardan appealfrom Uber that has far-reaching implications for UK drivers and the wider gig economy.
Uber last challenged the ruling in the court of appeal in 2018,but lost the case.
If it loses in the supreme court, the original tribunal finding should be implemented.
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Other international private-hire platforms likeOla,Bolt, andKaptenare also entering the British market.
This increases competition for Hackney drivers, some of whom said they now work significantly longer hours to survive.
Forcing Uber to guarantee an hourly minimum wage may help by removing its incentive to recruit so many drivers.
Drivers werepermitted to workduring the lockdown and played an important rolein transportingkey workers and patients.
Yet itwas leftto local authorities and operators to set any rules around drivers and passengers wearingpersonal protective equipment.
The only institutions that acknowledge responsibility for drivers welfare are their trade unions, associations, and cooperatives.
This could be addressed by changing the law to limit private-hire drivers to the licensing local authority.
Legal framework for drivers needs to be improved.Pedro Figueiredo,CC BY
Such measures carry risks, however.
Finally, thelegislationimposesconditions aimedat protecting passengers safety and welfare, and this could be extended to include drivers welfare.
For example, it could enable them to complain officially over unfair treatment as part of their licensing conditions.
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