Death of driver shines a light on gig economy cruelty

The death of DPD delivery driver Don Lane, who collapsed in his van while making deliveries over Christmas, has increased pressure on the government to act to improve protections for gig economy workers. 


Last month, The Guardian revealed that the 53-year-old suffered from diabetes and died after missing a series of medical appointments. 


The company which, the newspaper reported, made more than £100 million in profits last year, had fined him £150 for taking time off for hospital treatment. 


In December last year, members of the GMB Scotland general union who drive for DPD held protests over pay cuts and enforced working hours. 


The union explained that DPD views its owner-driver franchisees as self-employed, even though they have no control over changes to their contracts, cannot determine what days, hours, or routes they work and can only take two non-consecutive, unpaid weeks off per year. 


It also highlighted the “£150 ‘breach’ charge if they take an unauthorised day off due to sickness or bereavement, which the company views as a breach of contract”.

Unions have condemned the government’s response to the Taylor Review on modern working practices as a tiny step when what is needed is a giant leap.

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/feb/05/courier-who-was-fined-for-day-off-to-see-doctor-dies-from-diabetes

www.gmb.org.uk/dpd-drivers-protest

https://www.tuc.org.uk/blogs/insecure-workers-need-change-%E2%80%93-ministers-must-their-game