PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
Working conditions for private hire drivers (9 November 2021)

That this House recognises the efforts of those Uber workers who have recently taken industrial action as part of the ACDU and IWGB trade unions; further recognises that both of these strikes were due to Uber’s lack of implementation of the Supreme Court’s ruling that included paying their drivers for waiting time, which is estimated to account for around 40 per cent of their working time; notes that the IWGB union is now supporting an employment tribunal claim for indirect racial discrimination, over the use of facial recognition algorithms to dismiss workers without reason; further notes that these algorithms have been seen to disproportionately affect those from Black, Asian or Ethnic Minority backgrounds; pays tribute to those that, throughout the covid-19 outbreak, have been working on the frontline as private hire drivers; recognises that as of 30 September 2021 private hire drivers wishing to renew their licence will have to prove their English speaking credentials, which creates a divisive hierarchy between workers who speak English as a first language and migrants; notes that it has been estimated this new law has so far stopped 30,000 drivers from renewing their licences; and calls on the Government to request Uber to enforce the February 2021 Supreme Court ruling and requests that Transport for London reconsiders the law relating to licence renewal.

Sponsored by:
Apsana Begum (Independent)