Food delivery riders working through injuries to make “ends meat”

The gig economy is failing delivery partners. Many are working with injuries received on the job fearing visa loss if they speak up.

Food delivery in Melbourne’s CBD precinct. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Food delivery riders and drivers are working through serious injuries because many fear unemployment or visa consequences.

Compensation and class action law firm Slater and Gordon received cases where food delivery partners have worked while injured to pay for medical bills and survive financially.

The State Government will move to give more rights to food delivery riders, and other on-demand workers, to see them classified as employees for the first time.

Common injuries for rides and drivers include broken bones with some resulting in permanent injury.

The Melbourne City News was told an international student in his early 20s was severely injured when he picked up an order on his bicycle.

The man needed surgery to repair his hand but continued to ride and drive for the delivery app to pay for hospital and medical bills.

This comes as another student, who did not want to be identified, worked as a delivery rider until he was struck by a car in Melbourne in 2019, while parking his motorcycle during a delivery.

He injured his neck, shoulder and foot and took his case to WorkSafe to get legal advice when his employment wouldn’t cover the costs.

Delivery partners including Uber Eats, Deliveroo and Menulog do not pay insurance premiums to the State Government to cover worker injuries and deaths.

A report commissioned by Slater and Gordon found that 70 per cent of ride share drivers had worked while sick or injured, 64 per cent of food delivery cyclists worked while sick or injured, 71 per cent of motorcycle riders worked while sick or injured and 65 of motorcyclists said they sustained injuries needing medical treatment.

Migrant Workers Centre Director Matt Kunkel has backed up the legal firm’s claims and said workers trying to make “ends meet” will put up with below minimum wage pay and no safety standards.

“We’ve seen cases where workers on temporary visas didn’t report injuries at work because their employer told them not to or that migrants weren’t entitled to any support,” Mr Kunkel said.

He said some workers were threatened with the cancellation of their visa if they reported injuries.

“That means they often get paid below minimum wage, there’s no safety standards or workplace insurance, there’s no leave which means workers often work while they’re unwell and injured to make ends meet,” Mr Kunkel said.

Slater and Gordon Practice group leader Craig Lynch said there were avenues for workers to get what they deserve, but many gave up.

“We strongly recommend they seek legal advice about what other options are available to them so they are not left out of pocket for medical fees, treatment, loss of wages and time off work,” Mr Lynch said.

“Most workers give up because they don’t know what their rights are.”

Treasurer Tim Pallas on Thursday announced the government would the 20 recommendations of an inquiry into the conduct around workers for companies like Uber Eats, Deliveroo and Menulog.

The State Government is working with the Federal Government on the issue but has also committed $5 million to investigate the problem on its own.

This will include working on new standards for the industry on employment status, safety, working conditions and pay.

A new agency to support these types workers will be investigated along with options to ensure companies like Uber and Deliveroo are more transparent.

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