Deliveroo loses ‘unfair dismissal’ dispute in Australia

A food delivery worker riding his bike on his way to a deliver an order in Sydney, Australia. In the judgement published May 18, the Fair Work Commission said that Diego Franco ‘was an employee of Deliveroo, and he was dismissed unfairly’. — AFP

LONDON: Food delivery firm Deliveroo on May 18 lost a dispute with one of its riders in Australia, as a government body said he had been the victim of “unfair dismissal” for riding too slowly.

By classifying him as an employee, the decision could have knock-on effects for all of the group’s delivery riders, who it currently classifies as independent workers with fewer rights than full-time staff.