United Kingdom: Uber and Deliveroo in plea for greater protection of freelance workers

When questioned by a UK parliamentary commission over how the so-called gig economy’s boom has affected the country’s social protection system, bosses at the mobile application Uber and the food delivery service Deliveroo made a stunning call for reforms, which would allow them to guarantee more rights for the workers that deliver the services they offer. However, these two sector heavyweights outright refuse any idea that involves their freelance workers being paid a salary. That said, they have also admitted for the first time that they would not go out of business if they could no longer depend on the mass of freelancers.
Enjoy this article for free while you’re in your trial period
You have access to our content for 1 month.

Speaking to the Work and Pensions Committee on 22 February, Dan Warne, Deliveroo’s managing director, said: “We are very supportive of the idea if perhaps you have certain riders who work longer hours they should be entitled to benefits,” a statement which indicated the boss is in favour of a reform of the gig economy, which is based on the employment of independent workers who deliver the firms’ services but have no rights. “We’re restricted from providing some benefits that we as a business w

Do you have information to share with us?
What you absolutely must read this week
The essential content of the week selected by the editorial team.
See all
United Kingdom largely retained within scope of EWCs despite Brexit, study shows
A study published this month by the Institute for Economic and Social Research, the French trade union research organisation, examined how the involvement of British representatives in European...
Spain: government approves creation of ‘intern status’
The Spanish government has paved the way for the creation of a new status for "persons undergoing non-professional practical training in companies, institutions or public or private organisations...
Luxembourg: two pension reform bills submitted to parliament
After lengthy negotiations with the social partners, in mid-October the Luxembourg government submitted two bills to parliament aimed at reforming the pension system to ensure its long-term...
Germany: pensioners in work already common practice, study shows
As the German government steps up measures to encourage people to stay in work beyond the legal retirement age, a new study by the Institute of Economic and Social Research (WSI) – an independent...
Most viewed articles of the month on mind HR
What readers clicked on the most last month.
What readers clicked on the most last month.
1
Netherlands: ING cites AI as it plans to cut around 950 jobs
Dutch bank ING has informed the employment agency UWV that it may cut around 950 jobs by 31 December 2026. In its notification on 20 October, the lender said the planned reductions stem partly...
30 October 2025
2
Germany: legal battle at Tesla ahead of works council election
The Frankfurt/Oder labour court has postponed a mid-November hearing in the case between the IG Metall union and Michaela Schmitz, employee representative and head of the works council at the...
3
Candice Guillot (Talan): “Our recruiters save just over 80 hours per year on administrative tasks thanks to AI”
Candice Guillot, group director of employee experience and HR performance at Talan (7,000 employees), outlines for mind RH her vision and strategy for introducing artificial intelligence at the...
4
AI-driven job cuts on the rise in tech sector
As leading tech companies ramp up investment in artificial intelligence (AI) and roll out transformation plans to boost its development, layoffs across the sector are increasing. But are the job...
7 October 2025
5
France: generative AI and older workers central to BPCE’s skills management strategy
On 17 July 2025, BPCE and its trade unions signed a second agreement on jobs and career management within the banking group. The text places generative artificial intelligence at the core of its...
6
France: austerity measures proposed in social security financing bill for 2026
Limits on sick leave, the end of social security exemptions for apprentices, and the introduction of additional birth leave: the 2026 social security financing bill, presented to parliament on 14...
16 October 2025