Unfortunately, platforms like Uber and Deliveroo want to pretend that their employees are not employees, and that’s where it gets tricky. It’s not a new idea. Agnes Jongerius was working for trade unions in the 90s when truck companies decided to reduce their labour costs by forcing their drivers to buy their own trucks.
The unions fought back. But at least the truck companies were up front about the obligations they were trying to avoid. The app platforms have, from the beginning, tried to present themselves as empowering people, even while they don’t give basic rights like health insurance.
In the latest episode of Take a Left, we spoke to a Dutch driver, a Spanish rider and Agnes about what it’s like to work for these platforms, and what we need to do to regulate these firms.
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Apple Podcasts: http://socsde.ms/ZU9
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