Two MPs released a report on Monday, urging the government to protect employees in the gig economy.
Those 15,000 UK employees working for companies such as Deliveroo and Uber are under an “unacceptable burden” in proving they are not self-employed.
“The bill would put good business on a level playing field, not being undercut by bad business. It is time to close the loopholes that allow irresponsible companies to underpay workers, avoid taxes and free ride on our welfare system,” said Frank Field, the Labour MP who chairs the work and pensions committee.
Field has called on the Prime Minister to protect those in the gig economy. He has urged her to support a draft bill “that would end the mass exploitation of ordinary, hard-working people in the gig economy”.
The government has said it will respond to the Matthew Taylor review by the end of the year. Critics are fearful it is not the top of the agenda.
“This excellent report shows that whatever concerns the government has about my recommendations, parliamentary support is no longer a reason not to pursue them,” said Taylor.
Deliveroo recently won a case on the self-employed status of its riders and continues to insist that this self-employment status is favoured by employees.
“Deliveroo riders are self-employed for one reason only, it allows them to work flexibly, which riders tell us is exactly what they want,” said a Deliveroo spokesperson.
“Riders make on average £9.50 an hour with Deliveroo, well above the National Living Wage.
“Alongside this flexibility and good pay, we want to offer riders more security – such as injury pay and sick pay. At the moment the law prevents us from doing so.”
Whilst the report is considered to be going in the right direction, unions fear there is still a long way to go.
Jason Moyer-Lee, the general secretary of the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain, believes the report has not called for extending more basic employment rights – such as statutory sick pay or right to claim unfair dismissal – to workers.