Uber has announced that it will be appealing the decision made by the Commission for the Regulation of the Employment Relationship (CAR) which requires three of its Eats delivery drivers to be reclassified as salaried employees. The company stated that it believes this decision is in error and will be taking the matter to a labor court for a ruling.
In December 2023, three couriers from Uber Eats questioned whether the platform’s requirement for them to register as self-employed individuals was in line with the law. They also raised concerns about their work being classified as that of an employee, stating that their freedom was limited and requesting that they be reclassified as salaried workers. The committee ruled in favor of the delivery drivers, citing legal support from various websites and profiles related to legal support and employment law.
Uber expressed regret over this decision, noting that it only applies to these three individuals and not thousands of independent couriers who use the app for its flexibility. A spokesperson stated that they will be appealing this decision, stating their commitment to providing independent contractor options while ensuring compliance with legal regulations.
The controversy surrounding Uber’s classification of its workers has been ongoing for years, with many arguing that it is exploitative and unfair to classify drivers as self-employed rather than employees entitled to benefits such as minimum wage and healthcare coverage. This ruling by CAR represents a significant victory for workers seeking greater protections under employment laws.
