Gig workers in the transport sector will soon have more protections in NSW as the government looks to modernise the state’s Industrial Relations Act.
The state government is seeking stakeholder and industry input to extend to gig workers the same legal protections offered to owner driver truck drivers, couriers and taxi drivers under Chapter 6 of the Industrial Relations Act.
Other ‘precarious workers’ will also be included in the legislation reform
The reforms will allow platform companies, employers and unions to apply to the Industrial Relations Commission for binding determinations of the workers’ pay and conditions of employment.
The existing exemptions for transport of livestock and produce will remain in place as is consistent with the approach of the Commonwealth Government.
Minister for Industrial Relations Sophie Cotsis says society’s reliance on gig workers means the Act needs to continue to be updated to meet modern standards.
“We need to ensure our industrial relations system is fit for purpose,” Cotsis says.
“The public relies on gig workers in the transport industry every day, and workers can rely on us for the same legal protections.
“This is an important step in supporting the thousands of gig workers to ensure they have the same industrial rights to access the industrial relations commission.”
The Commission is required to consider what is fair and reasonable while promoting efficiency and productivity in the economy of NSW.
The proposed changes will:
- Allow the Commission to determine what is fair and reasonable pay and conditions for rideshare and other gig workers in the transport industry.
- Correct the historical exemption that prevented milk, cream and bread delivery drivers from having the same protections.
- Explore new offences of accessorial liability for those who break the law in a supply chain.
- Ensure there are enforceable standards across road transport supply chains to make sure everyone, no matter how big or small, can recover their costs.
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