Activists are urging Uber and other ride-hailing apps to disclose data on their drivers’ workload to combat exploitation and reduce carbon emissions.
Analysis by Worker Info Exchange suggests that drivers for Uber and its competitors may have missed out on over £1.2 billion in earnings and expenses last year due to payment structures.
The report argues that these platforms are built on an oversupply of vehicles and the exploitation of workers, leading to financial struggles and debt.
Uber collects anonymized trip data in several North American cities and claims this covers around 40% of drivers’ miles before picking up passengers.
Despite Uber’s response that drivers earn money on other platforms during idle times, Worker Info Exchange maintains that better compensation and expense coverage could have resulted in an additional £1.29 billion industry-wide in 2023.
The report also highlights issues with monitoring drivers’ mileage, leading to potential exhaustion and safety hazards.
Similar concerns are raised about food delivery apps, with calls for more transparency in journey data.
Efforts in New York to limit vehicle licenses to support taxi drivers and reduce congestion have been noted, although recent changes exempt electric vehicles.
Uber’s carbon emissions in the UK are projected to surpass those of Transport for London, prompting calls for stricter control and transparency from regulators.
The ongoing debate around worker classification and rights in the gig economy is also highlighted, with promises from lawmakers to address issues of “false self-employment”.
Worker Info Exchange, founded by a key figure in the Uber Supreme Court case, aims to empower gig workers by providing more control over their data and decision-making processes.
Source: www.theguardian.com
