Uber’s founders have cashed in. How about the drivers?
The ride-hailing company Uber has made its long-awaited debut as a publicly traded stock, but investor demand for the May 10 initial public offering (IPO) fell short of the company’s hopes. Part of the reason is a lingering question about its workforce: Does the still-unprofitable firm deliver low-cost rides for passengers at the expense of decent treatment for drivers, and could the resulting discontent undermine Uber’s business model?
The issue over whether Uber drivers are employees (entitled to company benefits such as sick pay and retirement) or contractors (entitled to nothing) has been at the center of the labor controversy since the company launched a decade ago. It is still largely
What’s the issue?How big is the gig economy and who’s in it?Firms like Uber are fostering the growth of gig work. What are they doing for these workers? What role do governments play in providing benefits for this new labor sector? So, will gig workers get what they’re hoping for?
