Jun 13 (Japan Today) - Food delivery staff working in Japan for ride-hailing company Uber Technologies Inc said Wednesday they plan to form a labor union in a bid to improve what they see as disadvantageous treatment for being classified as independent contractors rather than employees.
"The delivery staff are working under the instructions of Uber, so they should be treated the same as employees," Yoshihito Kawakami, a lawyer supporting workers for Uber Eats in Japan, said at a meeting to prepare for the launch of the labor union.
Around 20 delivery riders attended the meeting in Tokyo, which was organized by the Japan Community Union Federation. They said they hope to recruit more members and launch the union later this year.
The move comes as the U.S. company is facing criticism for evading its responsibility as an employer by not paying social insurance contributions to provide delivery riders with accident compensation and sickness benefits.
The company insists that it does not hire workers and is just offering a platform connecting delivery staff, businesses and customers. But critics argue that a de facto employment relationship exists as Uber decides on payments for the delivery riders and manages orders.
