Victorian Trades Hall Council recognises the Victorian Government’s announcement of new standards and a dedicated support service to protect workers in the Gig Economy.

The voluntary standards are a welcome first step in addressing on-demand platforms’ exploitation of workers.

The Fair Conduct and Accountability Standards will encourage platforms to consider power dynamics between the platforms and their “non-employee” workers, and to consult with workers about issues such as pay, conditions, dispute resolution and safety.

While the standards are voluntary, the Andrews Government has committed to introducing legislation in 2023 to hold platforms accountable to the standards.

Quotes attributable, Amanda Threlfall

“We congratulate the Andrews Government on acting on the inquiry into the on-demand workforce."

“We know that there is an enormous power imbalance between on-demand platforms and their workers. These businesses profit from the labour of an on-demand workforce, but deny those workers any of the standards we expect in an employment relationship.”

“Every worker should be supported to raise issues with their employer, even if their employer is notionally a faceless algorithm. Workers should have a meaningful say in the conditions of their work.”