Uber drivers await trial verdict on employee status

Uber drivers across the UK are waiting to hear the outcome of a trial which will determine their employment status.

In July, 19 Uber drivers took the firm to court, alleging that their status as self-employed meant they were not receiving any benefits, pensions or sick pay. The case is being supported by the GMB union.

According to The Guardian, Uber has 30,000 drivers in London alone and is rapidly expanding to other cities. The lawyers representing the drivers claim that they are not self-employed, a point they argue by explaining that they are rated by customers and they do not know drop-off points before the client gets in the car.

According to The Guardian, none of the Uber drivers they contacted said they earned more than the National Living Wage, with some claiming to earn less – following cost deductions by Uber.