Uber chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi has made a big promise: to offer European drivers and couriers medical cover, health benefits after accidents and one-off maternity payments from next month.
The changes, expected to come at a cost of millions of dollars, will impact 150,000 people and are the most significant attempt by the ride-hailing company to address criticisms that it exploits low-paid “driver partners” and couriers.
Uber had already offered opt-in insurance in the UK and there is an optional scheme in the US, but this is the first full scale rollout of a benefits scheme.
Mr Khosrowshahi said the company would begin to cover medical costs of up to £7,500 for accidents and up to £1,125 if drivers become sick and could not work for more than seven days.
Couriers will receive sick pay of up to £450 and both groups will be able to claim compensation for injuries and accidents — including a £50,000 payment to dependants and £6,000 for funeral costs if someone dies during a trip. Uber will foot the bill.
(Published by Financial Times, May 24, 2018)