Amazon is quietly using the gig economy, and Royal Mail is furious

[TrueBlueTerrier]

https://www.thememo.com/2017/05/19/amaz ... s-furious/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

SUMMARY
Do you know who's been delivering your parcels?

When you hear about the lack of workers’ rights in the gig economy, Uber and Deliveroo are probably the names that spring to mind.

But what about Amazon?

Amazon has been quietly using a delivery contractor called UK Express, which is taking advantage of gig economy loopholes.

UK Express claims its delivery drivers are self-employed and therefore not entitled to workers’ rights, but is facing a lawsuit from drivers who argue they should be classed as employees.

Amazon also has its own Flex delivery network which uses self-employed contractors to deliver Amazon parcels.

Royally pissed-off

This morning Royal Mail’s CEO Moya Greene launched a furious verbal assault on her rivals for taking advantage of ‘self-employed’ drivers to undercut Royal Mail.

In a call after the postal group’s financial results yesterday Green called on the Government to look past what she called “fictitious self-employment” and investigate the lack of national insurance being paid by such companies.

“These employers are evading this tax, yet we end up giving our tax to the government so it can use the welfare system to top up the households of these workers with tax credits.”
“This is wrong.”

Getting a grip on the gig economy

While there are clearly huge issues with the gig economy, it’s unlikely anything will change anytime soon.

In November the Government launched the Taylor Review, led by the CEO of the Royal Society of Arts Matthew Taylor, into modern working practices.

The Review is expected to provide recommendations on the ‘workers’ rights’ aspect of the gig economy, whether they are self-employed or employees.

In reality, despite Greene’s call for the Government to take action, it’s unlikely anything will be done around tax before we’ve decided exactly what gig economy workers are.

[nicabbs]

This morning Royal Mail’s CEO Moya Greene launched a furious verbal assault on her rivals for taking advantage of ‘self-employed’ drivers to undercut Royal Mail.

In a call after the postal group’s financial results yesterday Green called on the Government to look past what she called “fictitious self-employment” and investigate the lack of national insurance being paid by such companies.

“These employers are evading this tax, yet we end up giving our tax to the government so it can use the welfare system to top up the households of these workers with tax credits.”
“This is wrong.”


yeah moya what about all those part time posties struggling for years as we cant get full time contacts if it wasn,t for tax credits dont know how we,d get by, so get your own house in order before you start having a go at others

[TheTrolleyMan]

I'll be struggling when you shaft my pension

[Lounge Lizard]

Well done Moya for launching a furious verbal assault on her rivals for taking advantage of ‘self-employed’ drivers to undercut Royal Mail.
How wrong we all were in thinking that Moya wanted to make us all ‘self-employed’ drivers to maintain shareholder dividends. Or is that next year ?

[Lincox]

Am I totally wrong, or does Parcelforce not employ drivers on a franchise basis?

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Am I totally wrong, or does Parcelforce not employ drivers on a franchise basis?

Not totally wrong, PF employs both franchise and contract workers.