Australian gig workers to get right to negotiate minimum pay, conditions

Australian gig workers will be able to negotiate for minimum pay and conditions under a new law to be introduced next week in parliament by the centre-left Labor government.

The law will define “employee-like workers” in the gig economy, a catch-all term including those who deliver food or drive for apps like Uber or DoorDash.

Australia’s industrial umpire will then be empowered to set standards around pay, hours and insurance.

However, the umpire will have discretion to vary standards between workplaces and the laws will not mandate uniform pay or conditions.