Clear as mud: gig workers’ rights versus Uber, Deliveroo, Ola and Menulog fight for flexibility

While Menulog won plaudits for its promise to trial an “employment model” for its workers in Sydney’s CBD district, the devil really is in the detail. Not dissimilar to other tech giants in the on-demand sector, “flexibility” remains fundamental to Menulog’s mission.

Given workers in the gig economy are deemed independent contractors – the epitome of flexible work – it is not possible for them to even operate as employees within the award system as it currently operates. What’s more, a spokesperson for Menulog told Michael West Media the company didn’t have any more detail on its proposal.

Meanwhile, testimony to the Senate committee from the other big players in the on-demand sector – Uber, Deliveroo and Ola –…