B.C. gig workers to get set minimum wage, job protections

The province says workers in B.C. who make money through apps, such as Uber and Skip-the-dishes, will now get a set minimum wage and better protections.

The changes to gig worker conditions come after months of calls for the government to improve labour protections.

B.C. Minister of Labour Harry Bains says the changes include a minimum wage, distance expenses allowances, and workers will now be covered through WorksafeBC.

“We are setting up minimum standards,” Bains said. “It is not asking too much to pay your employees minimum wage. It is not too much to ask an employer to make sure your workers are covered in case they’re injured at work.”

The province explains the minimum standards will come into effect on Sept. 3, 2024.

Bains tells CityNews that gig workers, during their “engaged time,” will be paid a minimum of $20.88 — 120 per cent of the general minimum wage which is currently $17.40.

“Our ministry has been engaged with the workers, their representatives, many activists who are advocating on behalf of the workers, and ride-hail companies and food delivery companies — they knew this was coming,” he said.

“It’s a basic principle that we work on, that all workers are entitled to basic minimum standards.”

The protections will also ensure that 100 per cent of tips provided to the customer will be paid to the worker, the province explains.

The new protections will cover approximately 11,000 ride-hailing drivers and 35,000 delivery workers across the province.

The labour protections will also include a “fair system” for when apps deactivate or reactivate their service, Bains said.

“Workers will get 72 hours notice if the app is to be deactivated, and within 14 days, the issue will be resolved the worker will have the opportunity to present their side of the case,” he said.

Uber insists new measures will drive up costs

In a statement Thursday, Uber says it supports government policies that “protect the flexibility and independence of app-based work.” However, it insists the base minimum wage will drive up costs and reduce demand for local restaurants and earning opportunities for its workers.

“In the middle of an affordability crisis, a rideshare expense rate that is over 50% higher than the comparable rate in California is unreasonable- and we encourage the government to reconsider the consequences for British Columbians who rely on rideshare and delivery,” Uber said.

“Even before factoring in the expense rate, the new benefits and protections come with increased costs. Piling on unreasonable expense rates, which are significantly higher than the comparable rate in California, will increase costs and impact consumers, local restaurants, and workers, especially during an affordability crisis.”

–With files from Raynaldo Suarez