Hermes couriers win landmark gig economy case

A group of Hermes couriers have won a significant legal battle which entitles them to be treated as workers instead of independent contractors.

An employment tribunal ruled that the group were entitled to receive the minimum wage and holiday pay, and to reclaim unlawful deductions from their wages, because they had incorrectly been classified as self-employed – The Guardian reports.

Around 14,500 Hermes couriers, who are engaged under the same contract as the 65 couriers who took the case to the tribunal, are likely to be affected by the ruling.

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“Bosses can’t just pick and choose which laws to obey,” said the GMB’s general secretary, Tim Roache. “Workers’ rights were hard won; GMB isn’t about to sit back and let them be eroded or removed by the latest loophole employers have come up with to make a few extra quid.”