The gig economy has made life more convenient, bringing food delivery services like Uber Eats and DoorDash to our doorsteps. However, the convenience we enjoy often comes at a cost to the workers making it possible.
These food delivery riders, whether on bicycles and motorcycles or in cars, navigate numerous challenges and risks every day:
- Road safety risks
- Added vulnerability as cyclists and motorcyclists driving alongside large vehicles
- Environmental hazards like having to work during weather events
- Violence and harassment from customers
- Lack of training and support
Unfortunately, their classification as independent contractors means they miss out on the basic rights and protections that traditional employees receive, leaving them in a precarious and vulnerable position.
Delivery Driver Fatalities and Injuries in Australia
The gig economy – particularly the food delivery industry – has seen a concerning rise in accidents, injuries, and fatalities involving delivery drivers in Australia.
Since 2017, there have been at least 13 known deaths of food delivery riders in Australia, with 9 of them being riders for Uber Eats.
Then in late 2020, a spate of five food delivery rider fatalities occurred within just two months in New South Wales, prompting the establishment of a state government taskforce to investigate road safety in the gig economy.
One particular delivery driver fatality that took place in 2022 went unreported for an entire year before WorkSafe was alerted – and this was the 15th fatality in Australia. The lack of reporting and the sheer number of deaths led to calls for reform.
These are just three of many concerning incidents; there have been numerous other deaths and many injuries as a result of delivery driving dangers.
Injury Statistics
Unfortunately, statistics show that the correlation with delivery driving is not just a coincidence or a once-off trend.
A 2022 study by researchers at Macquarie University and St Vincent's Hospital found significantly higher rates of injuries among food delivery riders than previously reported.
The study identified at least 43 cycling-related injuries among commercial riders at a single Sydney hospital between May 2019 and April 2020, while SafeWork NSW had reported only 37 such injuries across the entire state during the same period.
Delivery driving has become more dangerous, and as such, more rights and protections are needed in order to keep our drivers safe.
Efforts to Secure Better Rights for Delivery Drivers
Thankfully, as the gig economy continues to grow, some states and territories in Australia have taken steps to improve the rights and protections of delivery drivers.
- In New South Wales, the government introduced new laws in 2022 requiring food delivery platforms to provide riders with high-visibility personal protective equipment (PPE), comprehensive training, and verification of competency. Penalties and fines apply to platforms and riders who fail to comply with these requirements.
- The Queensland government has released a Consultation Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) exploring options to extend workers' compensation coverage to gig workers, including bailee taxi and limousine drivers. Currently, these workers do not have access to the same benefits as traditional employees, such as medical treatment, weekly compensation payments, and rehabilitation support.
- The Victorian government has introduced legislation to establish a judicial body to set minimum pay and conditions for gig economy workers, including delivery riders. This move aims to address the lack of basic entitlements and protections for these workers.
While these efforts are steps in the right direction, there is still a need for comprehensive reform and stronger regulations to ensure the safety and well-being of delivery drivers across Australia. The alarming statistics and tragic incidents serve as a reminder of the urgent need for action to protect these essential workers.
Potential Solutions to Keep Drivers Safe
As food delivery services become increasingly popular and necessary, we need to think about solutions that make this industry safer for its delivery drivers. Potential changes could include:
- Reclassifying employment status. Recognising food delivery riders as employees rather than independent contractors would grant them access to minimum wages, sick leave, workers' compensation, and other basic entitlements.
- Implementing safety measures. Providing riders with adequate training and personal protective equipment (PPE) and enforcing safety standards could help mitigate the risks they face on the roads.
- Establishing fair payment structures. Implementing a system that guarantees a minimum hourly wage, independent of the number of deliveries, would provide financial stability and discourage risky behaviours driven by time pressure.
- Improving support systems. Creating accessible support channels for riders to address work-related issues, report incidents, and seek assistance would foster a more supportive working environment.
- Strengthening regulations enforcement. Governments should enact and enforce legislation that protects the rights of gig workers, holding companies accountable for maintaining safe and fair working conditions.
It is more than possible to create an equitable and sustainable gig economy where the convenience of food delivery does not come at the expense of worker exploitation and compromised safety. Hopefully, this is a goal we can work toward to make the industry much safer for its workers moving forward.
