A landmark ruling about Uber drivers could have huge implications for workers’ rights

Uber drivers are officially ‘workers’ according to a court in the UK.

Uber says they are ‘self-employed’. Workers are protected by key employment rights. Self-employed people are not.

A worker gets paid holiday leave, paid rest breaks and gets the minimum wage.

Uber is a hugely successful mobile app which lets people order taxis through their phone.

Drivers can work as little or as much as they like.

Uber says that it is a tech company which links drivers with passengers.

So it’s 30,000 UK drivers are self-employed ‘partners’ not workers.

The Employment Tribunal said Uber controlled its drivers so they actually worked for the company.

The ruling could be hugely important, not just to Uber drivers but the whole ‘gig economy.’

If the judges are right then Uber drivers will have to be paid minimum wage and get other rights.

So workers would get more rights but Uber’s business would be more expensive.

The ruling could affect other gig economy companies like Deliveroo, Airbnb and Hermes.

Uber has already said it will appeal the judgment.

So expect a long journey to the UK Supreme Court before drivers know their rights.