Uber pays drivers minimum wage as workers: UK Supreme Court

(PTI) London, Ta. Friday, February 19, 2021

Uber, a major taxi company, should classify its drivers as workers rather than self-employed and give them minimum wage, leave and sickness benefits, the UK Supreme Court said today.

The decision follows a long-running dispute with an American company. A group of drivers started a campaign to consider them workers instead of third party independents and self-employed.

This meant that all Uber drivers should get the benefits that workers get under UK law. An important point in the Supreme Court ruling was that Uber treats its drivers as workers from the time they go to work until they are on duty.

"Our clients have been fighting for workers for years, so we're glad we ended up fighting," said Nigel McKay, a member of the Law Farm Leigh Day team that represents some of the drivers involved in the case.

He further said that earlier also an Employees Tribunal, Employment Appeals Tribunal and Court of Appeal had ruled that Uber drivers are entitled to workers' rights.