Community Scoop » After the Uber ruling, the government must act quickly to protect freedom of contract

Press release – New Zealand Taxpayers' Union

Responding to the Court of Appeal ruling that four Uber drivers were employees rather than contractors, James Ross, Policy and Public Affairs Manager at the Taxpayers Union, said: “The gig economy is being forced to accept harsh and inflexible working conditions…”

Responding to the Court of Appeal ruling that four Uber drivers were employees rather than contractors, James Ross, Policy and Public Affairs Manager at the Taxpayers' Union, said:

“Forcing strict and inflexible working conditions on the gig economy would be a lose-lose situation for drivers and riders alike.

“The government must act quickly and restore freedom of contract so that drivers can continue to be their own bosses – deciding when and where they work, for how long and which trips they accept or reject.

“This flexibility means that more people can use carpooling and can freely choose the time periods that they can combine with childcare, studies or other activities. For passengers, this means that a driver of their choice is almost always available, even at short notice, which offers a high level of safety and reliability.

“This lawsuit is nothing more than blackmail. If some Uber drivers are not happy with the flexibility they have, they are welcome to work for a taxi company instead. The reality is that most drivers vote with their feet and choose to drive for Uber instead.

“If freedom of contract is not renewed to ensure that people can rely on what is written in contracts, then this latest case will in effect create another regulatory tax, driving up Uber's costs to consumers while denying access to the job to those who benefit most from the flexibility it offers.”

Content from scoop.co.nz
Original URL