As new laws covering Australia’s 500,000 plus gig workers under the Fair Work Commission (FWC) take effect this week, the Transport Workers Union (TWU) has proposed significant reforms that could lead to the establishment of minimum employment standards in these sectors.
These proposals aimed at providing crucial protections for gig workers and road transport owner-drivers in the rapidly expanding gig economy, particularly in sectors like “last mile” delivery and broader road transport.
The applications advocate for workers to receive notice of termination or payment as a substitute for that notice, aligning with the Road Transport and Distribution Award.
They also seek to introduce minimum hourly rates, adjusted for cost fluctuations such as fuel prices, and mandate that companies provide weekly invoices to workers.
Additionally, it calls for company-funded rest breaks and the right for workers to be informed about their representation rights through registered organisations like the TWU.
“For the first time, food delivery riders and drivers, as well as those involved in parcel and goods delivery, could benefit from a safety net on pay and entitlements” their application reads.
“The proposals include provisions for the recovery of costs related to vehicle expenses, insurance, and labour, alongside company-funded superannuation, personal injury insurance, and safety training.”
Workplace Relations Minister Murray Watt, alongside ACTU Secretary Sally McManus and TWU National Secretary Michael Kaine, lodged these applications at the FWC on Aug. 27.
They stated that these reforms are necessary to address the exploitation and unsafe conditions that gig workers, such as those performing work for UberEats, DoorDash, Menulog, and Hungry Panda, often face.
“Gig workers have been killed, maimed, and exploited with no access to rights and protections until now,” Kaine said.
“In the broader transport industry, almost 500 workers have died, and more than 3,500 businesses have collapsed over the last decade alone.”
The applications also include a “Contract Chain Order,” ensuring that top-tier clients, such as retailers and manufacturers, pay operators and drivers in full within 30 days.
This legislative push stems from growing concerns over the lack of protections for gig workers and road transport drivers in Australia.
In response to these issues, the federal government introduced a bill earlier this year that brought gig workers under the protection of the FWC for the first time.
