GMB calls on HMRC to investigate Uber
The GMB union has formally requested HMRC to investigate Uber over the ride hailing company’s compliance with minimum wage laws and “the dark maze of tax avoidance”. As previously reported, the GMB (whose members include professional drivers) recently brought two test cases to the Central London Employment Tribunal – and the tribunal ruled on 28 October that Uber drivers are entitled to receive holiday pay, a guaranteed minimum wage and an entitlement to breaks.
In a statement issued on Monday (21 November), Maria Ludkin, GMB Legal Director said: “We have formally requested today that HMRC investigate the dark maze of tax avoidance at Uber.
“The recent judgement shows that Uber drivers are workers, employed by Uber.
“The company can no longer try to pass the buck of tax responsibility to drivers by pretending they are self employed.
“HMRC must act now to enforce the UK national living wage / national minimum wage laws for Uber drivers.
“HMRC should recover employers national insurance contributions and employee PAYE tax and national insurance contributions from Uber for the drivers.
“As GMB demonstrated in the Tribunal, one drivers average pay for driving hours was £5.68 and zero for time waiting for work.”
Ludkin added: “HMRC has a legal duty to ensure that the 30,000 drivers are paid the living wage / national minimum wage for all hours Uber drivers are clocked on.
“HMRC should recover employers’ national Insurance contributions and employee PAYE tax and national insurance.”
GMB has also been campaigning about contract arrangements for Deliveroo riders.
Meanwhile, the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (IWGB) is currently supporting four freelance couriers who are pursuing cases against the delivery companies CitySprint, Addison Lee, Excel and eCourier. The four cases will be heard by the same London employment tribunal, but at different times. The “lead case” will be that of Maggie Dewhurst, who wants CitySprint to recognise her as a “worker” and not an “independent contractor”.
