Australia's centre-left Labor government will introduce a new law in Parliament next week to enable gig economy workers to negotiate for minimum pay and conditions.
According to a Reuters report, the law to be introduced in Parliament will define “employee-like workers” in the Australian gig economy, a catch-all term including those who deliver food or drive for apps. It aims to help the Australian industrial umpire set standards around insurance, pay, and hours. However, the standards are expected to vary between workplaces, and the laws will not mandate uniform pay or conditions.
Employment Minister Tony Burke commented that the rules will raise costs, but they will protect vulnerable workers.
“If we're going to be a nation where you don't have to rely on tips to make ends meet, then there needs to be some extra regulation,” Burke said in a speech in Canberra, as reported by Reuters.
Insurance companies have also been calling for better coverage for gig economy workers, with some releasing products to help them.
Gallagher, for example, developed bespoke health and safety solutions for its gig economy clients. It has also been helping gig economy employers build workplace risk management into their operations, including using risk assessment and introducing pathways for workers to report concerns and mechanisms for the business to respond.
In late 2021, Ride Protect launched a rideshare insurance offering after finding that a third of gig economy drivers had not told their insurer that they were part of a rideshare or food delivery service or were unaware that they needed a specific “add-on” to their current insurance policy.
