The violent carjacking of a food delivery worker on the Gold Coast this week has renewed calls for extra protection for the nation’s gig workers.
Transport Workers Union (TWU) National Secretary Michael Kaine said the incident, which occurred in Coomera, showed how urgently gig workers needed protections in place.
Mr Kaine said the Door Dash worker was robbed at knifepoint around 1am while completing a McDonald’s delivery and hadn’t recovered the vehicle since the incident.
“Without access to workers’ compensation he’s now liable for excess on the rented car and can’t currently make an income,” he said.
Mr Kaine said the incident followed a spate of violent assaults of gig workers around the country, from carjackings to stabbings, with 18 food delivery riders killed since 2017.
He said a survey in 2023 revealed 55 percent of gig workers in Australia had experienced threatening or abusive behaviour.
“The TWU recently filed a food delivery application in the Fair Work Commission calling for a minimum safety net on rates, personal injury insurance, company-funded superannuation and dispute resolution and consultation rights for food delivery workers.
“Gig workers are some of the most vulnerable in our country. No worker should have to go to work fearing they’ll be the target of violent crime.”
Mr Kaine said not only were gig workers under pressure to work long hours to make enough money, which often meant late nights and increased danger of harassment and assault, they could not access workers’ compensation when things went wrong.
