Better deal for region’s gig workers

THE NSW Government will introduce new legislation to provide protections for gig workers in the food delivery and rideshare sectors.

The reforms empower the NSW Industrial Relations Commission to set minimum pay and conditions, mediate disputes, and prevent companies from redefining gig workers to bypass these protections.

Transport Workers Union NSW assistant secretary Nick McIntosh said it was a win for Ballina’s gig workers.

“For far too long gig workers have been under deadly pressure to rush and take risks on the road to avoid being kicked off an app, and to earn enough money,” McIntosh said.

“Food delivery and rideshare options present opportunities for both workers and customers in regional areas, but we have to make sure the settings are right.

“We welcome this move by the NSW government to ensure gig workers have minimum standards on pay and conditions, and can access dispute resolution if they’re arbitrarily deactivated by a platform.

“As well as protecting gig workers, these protections will ensure the rest of the transport industry is not threatened by the gig economy’s exploitative model of work.

“Regardless of their employment label, all workers deserve minimum standards. These reforms will save lives on our roads.”

These changes will extend the same legal protections already offered to couriers, taxi drivers, and owner-driver truck drivers under Chapter 6 of the Industrial Relations Act to gig workers.

The legislation will also modernise laws for other parts of the transport sector, removing historical exemptions and ensuring enforceable standards across road transport supply chains.

The bill is expected to be introduced into Parliament later this year following industry consultation.