Silicon Canals
TRENDING
  • Mobility
  • AI
  • FinTech
  • Software & SaaS
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Ukraine
    • Startups
    • Scaleups
    • FinTech
    • AI and chatbots
    • Travel & Mobility
    • Software & SaaS
    • Health & Medtech
    • (Crowd)funding
    • Blockchain
    • Internet of things
    • Hardware
    • Accelerators
    • E-commerce
    • Cybersecurity
    • Gaming & Virtual Reality
    • Drones
    • COVID-19
  • Features
    • How-to
    • Knowledge & Insights
    • Guest Contributions
  • Partners
    • Amsterdam
    • Rise by Techleap.nl
    • Fintech Files by AWS
    • Scaling-up in Europe
    • Blue Tulip Awards
    • Partner with us
    • Promoted content
  • Events
    • Technology Events in Europe
    • Submit your event
  • Jobs
  • About us
    • Partner with us
    • About
    • Team
    • Newsletter
  • Contact
  • Home
  • News
    • Ukraine
    • Startups
    • Scaleups
    • FinTech
    • AI and chatbots
    • Travel & Mobility
    • Software & SaaS
    • Health & Medtech
    • (Crowd)funding
    • Blockchain
    • Internet of things
    • Hardware
    • Accelerators
    • E-commerce
    • Cybersecurity
    • Gaming & Virtual Reality
    • Drones
    • COVID-19
  • Features
    • How-to
    • Knowledge & Insights
    • Guest Contributions
  • Partners
    • Amsterdam
    • Rise by Techleap.nl
    • Fintech Files by AWS
    • Scaling-up in Europe
    • Blue Tulip Awards
    • Partner with us
    • Promoted content
  • Events
    • Technology Events in Europe
    • Submit your event
  • Jobs
  • About us
    • Partner with us
    • About
    • Team
    • Newsletter
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Silicon Canals
No Result
View All Result

Another legal setback for Uber: Dutch court rules that drivers are employees

Vishal Singh by Vishal Singh
September 13, 2021
in News
Uber

Image credit: FNV

24
SHARES
LinkedInTwitterWhatsAppFacebook

In yet another setback for global ride-hailing giant Uber, the Amsterdam District Court on Monday ruled that Uber drivers are employees rather than independent contractors and are entitled to greater workers’ rights in the country.

The judgement came after the Federation of Dutch Trade Unions (Federatie Nederlandse Vakbeweging, FNV), a national trade union center in the Netherlands, filed a lawsuit against Uber stating that it is a taxi employer and demanded it applies the taxi collective agreement to its drivers. Uber defended itself by claiming it is just a technology platform that works with independent taxi drivers.

- Partner content -
digital skills dutch workforce
Salesforce’s report on Dutch workforce’s digital skills
Has the Dutch workforce mastered all digital skills? Find out
Has the Dutch workforce mastered all digital skills? Find out Show Less
Read more

The court also ordered Uber to pay €50,000 to FNV for failing to comply with the Collective Labor Agreement for Taxi Transport.

This victory for unions fighting for the rights of workers in the gig economy comes after a similar decision reported in the United Kingdom.

The ruling

According to the judgement, as soon as drivers use the Uber app, they are subject to the operation of the algorithm designed by Uber and unilaterally to be changed by it. The drivers, therefore, fall under the ‘modern employer authority’ that Uber exercises via the app.

As such, all drivers who transport passengers via the Uber app are covered by the Collective Labor Agreement for Taxi Transport. The legal relationship between Uber and these drivers meets all the characteristics of an employment contract – labour, wages, and authority.

Right after the judgement this morning, Zakaria Boufangacha, Vice-President FNV, said  “this statement shows what we have been saying for years: Uber is an employer and the drivers are employees, so Uber must adhere to the Collective Labor agreement for Taxi Transport. It is also a signal to The Hague that these types of constructions are illegal and that the law must therefore be enforced.”

Uber said it will appeal the decision and has no plans to employ drivers in the Netherlands.

According to a report, Maurits Schönfeld, Uber’s general manager for northern Europe says, “We are disappointed with this decision because we know that the overwhelming majority of drivers wish to remain independent. Drivers don’t want to give up their freedom to choose if, when, and where to work.”

What does this mean for Uber drivers?

With the judge’s ruling, Uber drivers are now automatically employed by Uber and the taxi company must pay and treat the drivers in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement for Taxi Transport. 

They will now receive more wages and more rights in the event of dismissal or illness, for example. Additionally, in certain cases, these drivers can also claim overdue salaries.

About FNV

The Netherlands Trade Union Confederation (FNV) has 1.1 million members, making it the largest trade union in the Netherlands. The union plays an important social and political role in the Netherlands, standing up for the people who work, who want to work, or have had long working lives. 

The FNV wants decent work and a good income for everyone. It supports and facilitates members to develop their skills as much as possible and take their careers into their own hands, regardless of the type of contract under which they work. 

The FNV is affiliated to the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC).

Uber’s past encounters

Explaining why trade unions have a problem with platform companies like Uber, the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) says, “Over the last decade, platform companies like Uber and Deliveroo have exploited loopholes in the law to make big profits through falsely self-employing their workers, allowing them to avoid obligations to proper pay and working conditions.”

According to ETUC, this means workers often don’t earn the minimum wage, don’t have any paid holidays, don’t have the right to paid sick leave or any social security contributions. It’s not only unfair to workers, but to the vast majority of businesses who play by the rules and to all citizens because these practices rob public services of funding.

“Trade unions are successfully challenging platform companies in the courts across Europe, winning important judgements that prove the business model of these companies is not only unethical but illegal,” says ETUC.

Here are some of the major legal setbacks faced by Uber in different countries: 

United Kingdom

In 2017, Transport for London removed Uber’s license in the capital after the company failed to report serious criminal offenses and to run background checks on drivers. Once the company improved the situation and relations with the city authorities, it was given a 15-month license in London in 2018. However, in November 2019, the company was banned for operating in London as the city’s regulator said the app had put passenger safety at risk.

In March 2021, Uber confirmed to give its 70,000 UK drivers a guaranteed minimum wage, holiday pay, and pensions after a Supreme Court ruling. 

Following this ruling, drivers were given the status of a “worker” instead of “self-employed”. This helped them work in a flexible manner, and in a way that they have been, since Uber’s launch in the UK in 2012.

In May 2021, the GMB trade union in the UK and Uber announced a trade union recognition deal. Under the agreement, Uber will formally recognise GMB, which will now be able to represent up to 70,000 Uber drivers across the UK. The Guardian reported, “GMB will have access to drivers’ meeting hubs. It will also be able to represent drivers if they lose access to the Uber app, and it will meet quarterly with management to discuss driver issues and concerns.”

Germany

In 2019, a German court banned Uber services in the country stating that the US-based company lacked a necessary license to offer passenger transport services using rental cars.

Unlike in other countries, Uber in Germany is not allowed to let nonprofessional drivers offer rides in their own cars. A regional Frankfurt court found that Uber’s business model in Germany, which relies on the use of vehicles from local car hire companies, violated several anti-competition laws.

Netherlands

In March 2019, Uber had to pay approx €2.3M to settle a case that found it had offered unlicensed taxi services in 2014-2015. In 2020, British and Dutch regulators fined Uber for failing to protect customers’ personal information during a 2016 cyber attack involving millions of users.

United States

In September 2019, an Uber driver sued the company for misclassifying its drivers as independent contractors. In March 2019, the company had to pay a settlement of $20M for a lawsuit brought by drivers claiming they were employees and entitled to certain wage protections.

 - Partner content -
How cybersecurity scaleup Intigriti conquered the world?
How cybersecurity scaleup Intigriti conquered the world?
Catch our interview with Paul Down, Head of Sales at Intigriti.
Catch our interview with Paul Down, Head of Sales at Intigriti. Show Less
Read more
Tags: newsuber
Share2Tweet6SendShare10

Featured events

Current Month

may

28apr(apr 28)12:1331may(may 31)12:13FeaturedApplications for Techleap.nl’s Rise Batch 8 are open now

Techleap

Event Details

Are you an ambitious scaleup operating out of the Netherlands? Accelerate your growth with Techleap.nl’s Rise programme. Join their Batch #8!

Event Details

Are you an ambitious scaleup operating out of the Netherlands? Accelerate your growth with Techleap.nl’s Rise programme. Join their Batch #8!

Rise is an exclusive programme for serious tech players. In a trusted environment, scaleup founders share and discuss their growth challenges during tailor-made sessions with experienced entrepreneurs and scaling experts. Every quarter we select 10 companies to join the programme. It’s free, and we don’t seek equity. Check now if your company is eligible!

About Techleap

Techleap.nl’s programmes connect founders with scaling icons, industry experts and fellow tech entrepreneurs. It’s your chance to share challenges and hurdles with peers and established CEOs, and as a result, create favourable growth conditions for your business and overcome looming obstacles on your entrepreneurial path.

If you have any questions about the programme or the application process, please contact the Rise Batch Manager – Peter-Jan Kok at [email protected].

Apply here.

more

Time

April 28 (Thursday) 12:13 - May 31 (Tuesday) 12:13

Learn More

CalendarGoogleCal

31mayAll Day02junFeaturedAre you ready for UpStream Festival 2022?

Upstream

Event Details

We invite you, inspiring entrepreneurs, daring investors and bold corporates to connect in Rotterdam. Welcome to the third edition of Upstream in

Event Details

We invite you, inspiring entrepreneurs, daring investors and bold corporates to connect in Rotterdam.

Welcome to the third edition of Upstream in Rotterdam

This year, over the course of 3 days, more than 40 co-creation partners have lined up 40+ events boasting more than 30 speakers with one thing in common: to promote and underline the necessity of a transition to a future proof economy.

Once again, the Rotterdam Metropolitan Area will transform into the place where startups, scale-ups, investors, bold corporates, policy makers and students come together to make a positive impact in the world. Are you one of them?

We invite you, inspiring entrepreneurs, daring investors and bold corporates to share, connect and create meaningful innovations for sustainable growth.

Save the date in your agenda and become a part of Upstream 2022!

Connecting the frontrunners. Introducing the changemakers. Driving a future proof economy

Program 31.05 – 02.06

3 days, 30+ speakers, 40+ events.

Tuesday May 31 – Upstream Capital Day 

  • Meet 25+ leading investors during House of Capital. 
  • Listen to inspiring fireside chats on raising capital with Rien Kamman (Source.ag), Machteld Groothuis (Rubio), Andre Kuipers (astronaut) and others.
  • Join one of 10 independently organized events.

Wednesday June 1st – Upstream Talent Day

  • Meet 20+ scale-ups with 1200+ jobs during the Career Fair. 
  • Listen to inspiring fireside chats on talent with Esther O’ Callaghan (Hundo Careers), Jeroen Klerkx (Picnic), Constantijn van Oranje (Techleap) and others.
  • Join one of 13 independently organized events.

Thursday June 2nd – Upstream Growth Day

  • Meet 30+ leading corporate buyers during Meet the Buyer.
  • Listen to inspiring fireside chats on international growth with speakers including Vivienne de Leeuw (Port of Rotterdam), Djordy Seelmann (Housing Anywhere) and Bas van Abel (Fairphone).
  • Join one of 15 independently organized events and the official closing party in Bird.

Join the daily networking drinks 17:30 – 18:30 in Bird Rotterdam.

Check out the programme here. The 3-day pass costs €45. However, you can get a 15 per cent discount on getting your ticket via Silicon Canals here.

more

Time

May 31 (Tuesday) - June 2 (Thursday)

Learn More

CalendarGoogleCal

june

31mayAll Day02junFeaturedAre you ready for UpStream Festival 2022?

Upstream

Event Details

We invite you, inspiring entrepreneurs, daring investors and bold corporates to connect in Rotterdam. Welcome to the third edition of Upstream in

Event Details

We invite you, inspiring entrepreneurs, daring investors and bold corporates to connect in Rotterdam.

Welcome to the third edition of Upstream in Rotterdam

This year, over the course of 3 days, more than 40 co-creation partners have lined up 40+ events boasting more than 30 speakers with one thing in common: to promote and underline the necessity of a transition to a future proof economy.

Once again, the Rotterdam Metropolitan Area will transform into the place where startups, scale-ups, investors, bold corporates, policy makers and students come together to make a positive impact in the world. Are you one of them?

We invite you, inspiring entrepreneurs, daring investors and bold corporates to share, connect and create meaningful innovations for sustainable growth.

Save the date in your agenda and become a part of Upstream 2022!

Connecting the frontrunners. Introducing the changemakers. Driving a future proof economy

Program 31.05 – 02.06

3 days, 30+ speakers, 40+ events.

Tuesday May 31 – Upstream Capital Day 

  • Meet 25+ leading investors during House of Capital. 
  • Listen to inspiring fireside chats on raising capital with Rien Kamman (Source.ag), Machteld Groothuis (Rubio), Andre Kuipers (astronaut) and others.
  • Join one of 10 independently organized events.

Wednesday June 1st – Upstream Talent Day

  • Meet 20+ scale-ups with 1200+ jobs during the Career Fair. 
  • Listen to inspiring fireside chats on talent with Esther O’ Callaghan (Hundo Careers), Jeroen Klerkx (Picnic), Constantijn van Oranje (Techleap) and others.
  • Join one of 13 independently organized events.

Thursday June 2nd – Upstream Growth Day

  • Meet 30+ leading corporate buyers during Meet the Buyer.
  • Listen to inspiring fireside chats on international growth with speakers including Vivienne de Leeuw (Port of Rotterdam), Djordy Seelmann (Housing Anywhere) and Bas van Abel (Fairphone).
  • Join one of 15 independently organized events and the official closing party in Bird.

Join the daily networking drinks 17:30 – 18:30 in Bird Rotterdam.

Check out the programme here. The 3-day pass costs €45. However, you can get a 15 per cent discount on getting your ticket via Silicon Canals here.

more

Time

May 31 (Tuesday) - June 2 (Thursday)

Learn More

CalendarGoogleCal

Taets Art and Events ParkHemskade 16, 1506 PR Zaandam

16junAll Day17FeaturedTNW Conference

Event Details

Join TNW Conference in Amsterdam on June 16 & 17 to all you need to know about the latest market killers and breakout tech, connect with the industry’s who’s-who, and

Event Details

Join TNW Conference in Amsterdam on June 16 & 17 to all you need to know about the latest market killers and breakout tech, connect with the industry’s who’s-who, and turn your business meetings upside down on our ferris wheel… With endless networking opportunities, the world’s boldest voices, and unrivaled party vibes, this year’s TNW Conference will be off the charts!

Time

june 16 (Thursday) - 17 (Friday)

Location

Taets Art and Events Park

Hemskade 16, 1506 PR Zaandam

Learn More

CalendarGoogleCal

Partner content | Work with us

Are you ready for Upstream Festival 2022?

European Startups can expand to Asia through the South Korean Government’s K-Startup Grand Challenge

Running a small business? These 5 tips can create a domino effect of productivity across your entire company

Triller acquires Dutch DJ Sam Feldt’s Fangage to expand its platform for creators

Sweden’s Gimi partners with Dutch bank ABN AMRO to help young people manage and understand their finances

Silicon Canals | Jobs


Breaking news from Amsterdam | Partner

Meet Joanna Invests, Amsterdam’s new women-led investment firm for female founders; backs We Are Eves in first deal

World Bee Day 2022: Check out these Amsterdam-based startups and initiatives protecting the bee population 

Amsterdam’s SingularityNET and its spin-off project SingularityDAO sign a €23.6M capital commitment

Amsterdam’s The Social Handshake raises €1.1M to help employees support charities directly from their salaries

  • About Silicon Canals
  • Partner with Silicon Canals
  • Contact us
  • Newsletter
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy (UK)
  • Cookie Policy (EU)
  • Terms & Conditions Silicon Canals

Silicon Canals 2014-2022 | Website: Bright Idiots

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Ukraine
    • Startups
    • Scaleups
    • FinTech
    • AI and chatbots
    • Travel & Mobility
    • Software & SaaS
    • Health & Medtech
    • (Crowd)funding
    • Blockchain
    • Internet of things
    • Hardware
    • Accelerators
    • E-commerce
    • Cybersecurity
    • Gaming & Virtual Reality
    • Drones
    • COVID-19
  • Features
    • How-to
    • Knowledge & Insights
    • Guest Contributions
  • Partners
    • Amsterdam
    • Rise by Techleap.nl
    • Fintech Files by AWS
    • Scaling-up in Europe
    • Blue Tulip Awards
    • Partner with us
    • Promoted content
  • Events
    • Technology Events in Europe
    • Submit your event
  • Jobs
  • About us
    • Partner with us
    • About
    • Team
    • Newsletter
  • Contact

Silicon Canals 2014-2022 | Website: Bright Idiots

Stay updated with the Silicon Canals daily and weekly newsletters.
We promise we won't spam you. You can choose to unsubscribe anytime.
Stay updated with the Silicon Canals daily and weekly newsletters.
We promise we won't spam you. You can choose to unsubscribe anytime.
Silicon Canals
Manage your privacy

To provide the best experiences, we and our partners use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us and our partners to process personal data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.

Click below to consent to the above or make granular choices. Your choices will be applied to this site only. You can change your settings at any time, including withdrawing your consent, by using the toggles on the Cookie Policy, or by clicking on the manage consent button at the bottom of the screen.

Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Statistics

Marketing

Features
Always active

Always active
Manage options Manage services Manage vendors Read more about these purposes
Manage options
{title} {title} {title}
X
X