New Zealand Moves to Change Law After Uber's Contractor Case
New Zealand plans to amend its employment laws following a recent court ruling that determined Uber drivers are contractors rather than employees. This decision has raised questions about the status of many platforms operating in the country, prompting the government to reconsider employment provisions to ensure fairer protections for all workers.
As part of this review, the government intends to explore the possibility of granting all workers, including those in platform-based jobs like Uber, more rights and benefits. This comes as many jobs in the new economy, including delivery and taxi services, often fall outside traditional employment models, making them vulnerable to instability and a lack of social security.
The court ruling has not only affected Uber but also raised legal status questions for numerous other services operating in the country. The New Zealand Ministry of Labour will work on preparing new legislation that could significantly alter the operating rules for digital platforms, representing a crucial step towards improving working conditions in a rapidly changing employment environment.
The New Zealand government has stated that it will actively engage in consultations with various stakeholders to gather opinions and suggestions on the matter, substantially increasing the likelihood of a law being passed in the near future.
The new legislation is expected to be presented to Parliament for discussion in the coming months, and its adoption could lead to significant changes in labor relations for both workers and employers in New Zealand.
