Legislative Changes Will Bring Fairness To App-Based Gig Workers

Legislation has been introduced to ensure better working conditions for app-based ride-hailing and food-delivery gig workers.

“Last week, I announced several proposed solutions that respond to the needs of the workers who deliver our meals and drive us where we need to go,” said Harry Bains, Minister of Labour.

“Today, I am tabling a bill in the house to establish the legislative authority for those protections so that the regulations can be developed as quickly as possible.”

The changes address the priority concerns workers have raised such as low and unpredictable wages, being cut off from the job without warning and a lack of workers’ compensation coverage if injured on the job.

The changes do not require formal employment relationships between app-based workers and the platform companies.

Instead, they outline that these workers will be considered employees for the purposes of the Employment Standards Act and Workers Compensation Act, whether they are employees or independent contractors.

There are about 11,000 ride-hailing drivers and 27,000 food-delivery workers in B.C., with 21 ride-hailing companies, and seven food-delivery platforms  licensed to operate in the province.

To see the full release, visit Government of British Columbia.