Victory for former Uber Drivers !

 Two former Uber drivers will now avail unemployment benefits

 Two Uber drivers broke out their independent contractor status as state Labor Department declared them as the employees of the company. Jakir Hossain and Levon Aleksanian, the former drivers of Uber filed a lawsuit in July against the Cuomo administration and will now avail unemployment benefits from the company.

There are certain things that Uber driver does, which should make them an employee and not independent contractors, as the company likes to think. The state Labor Department’s judgment was a big win for the taxi workers group. However, the judgment only favors the two drivers and no one else,say Uber representatives.

Other than Aleksanian and Hossain, four other New York drivers also had petitioned for the benefits but their petitions were ruled out. Employee status is totally based on various factors like how much supervision, direction and control the business has over them.

What does Uber has to say about this?

If Uber drivers are considered as employees instead of independent contractors then they would lose all the flexibility and have to work fixed shifts at hourly wages and face restriction over working for other ridesharing apps. In the meantime, New York City Council members introduced a bill on Thursday which would benefit the drivers. According to the news report,the bill includes health care, disability and life insurance for thedrivers.

 With the passing of such important judgment, what will be the effects on Uber and other taxi-aggregators in India?Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

Subscribe with us to get your dose of interesting news, research & opinions in the startup segment. Fill the form below:

[email-subscribers namefield=”YES” desc=”” group=”Public”]