Frank Field MP, the chairman of the work and pensions committee, has launched an inquiry into pay and working conditions at Deliveroo.
The Labour MP will spend the next five weeks gathering evidence from Deliveroo riders in order to shine a light on employees working conditions in the gig economy.
“The weight of the evidence I’ve seen shows that bogus self-employment is being peddled by those who benefit so handsomely from the gig economy, to avoid the obligations they have to their workforce,” said the Birkenhead MP.
“I now wish to see if this is a partial view or whether it, sadly, represents what is going on in yet another company operating in the gig economy.”
The courier service is currently facing legal cases over the employment status of its riders. Last week, the IWGB won permission at the high court for a judicial review of the decision that confirms the self-employed nature of Deliveroo riders.
‘Following on from last week’s High Court decision that our workers’ and human rights case against Deliveroo can proceed for judicial review, today’s announcement is another important step in achieving justice for low paid Deliveroo riders,” said Jason Moyer-Lee, general secretary of the IWGB.
“I’m familiar with how Deliveroo justifies its actions in legalese, but I do look forward to seeing how they justify depriving riders of fundamental human rights in their evidence to Frank Field MP.”
The union has raised £23,000 through crowdfunding to cover the legal costs of the case.
Field has already taken evidence from employees at Hermes (EPA: RMS), Uber, DPD and Parcelforce.
The court’s judgment will likely set a precedent for similar legal battles over employment statues. This will likely include drivers working for Uber and Addison Lee.