The UK Court of Appeal has dismissed an appeal, brought by the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (Iwugb), against the rulings that had framed the Deliveroo riders as self-employed. The Court of Appeal was therefore unanimous in recognizing the status of worker self-employed, with all three judges in agreement and no dissenting opinions. The Court found that the previous judgments were correct and came to the conclusion that the riders do not have an employment relationship with Deliveroo.
This is the fourth ruling in the UK that Deliveroo riders are self-employed, following a ruling by the Central Arbitration Committee and two verdicts in the High Court, but the matter remains controversial. The broader issue of the classification of couriers (and workers in general) in the so-called gig economy, the economy of small jobs that is based on the intersection between supply and demand for low-cost services, is touched upon. Only in February, the British Supreme Court ruled that workers at private transport giant Uber were entitled to rights such as the minimum wage.
Loading…
The company rejoices: our flexible model
One of the focal points of the ruling on Deliveroo is that its delivery boys are not obliged to provide the service. «Today’s – said a Deliveroo spokesperson – is good news for the Deliveroo riders and marks an important milestone. UK courts have found and recognized the self-employed status of Deliveroo riders for the fourth time. Our message to the riders is clear. We will continue to support your right to work the way you want and we will continue to listen to you and respond to the aspects that matter most to you, ”he explained.
«The Deliveroo model – continued the spokesperson, attacking the unions – offers true flexibility that is only compatible with self-employment, and provides riders with the work they tell us they appreciate. Those who campaign to eliminate rider flexibility don’t speak for the vast majority of riders and try to impose a way of working that riders don’t want. Deliveroo will continue to support the possibility that companies, similar to Deliveroo, can offer the full flexibility of self-employment together with greater benefits and greater security ». Doubts about the company’s business model and its legal turmoil had ditched Deliveroo’s stock market debut in London. The shares rose to peaks of 9% to 274 pence after the verdict, their highest since April.