California sues Uber, Lyft for driver wage theft

Uber and Lyft have faced several legal challenges over their business models. — Reuters

SAN FRANCISCO: California has filed lawsuits against Uber and Lyft for alleged wage theft by misclassifying their drivers as independent contractors rather than employees, the US Labor Commissioner's Office said Aug 5.

Classifying their drivers as independent contractors "has deprived these workers of a host of legal protections in violation of California labour law," the office said in a statement.