B.C. proposes new protections for “gig workers”

Nov 16, 2023 | 3:18 PM

BRITISH COLUMBIA— New basic employment standards and protections are coming to the gig economy as app-based ride-hailing and food-delivery industry begins to grow.

Victoria has announced that it will be taking action to bring “fairness and predictability to these types of jobs with new proposed standards as the sector continues to expand.”

“The workers who appear at the touch of a button to drive us home or deliver our dinner deserve to be treated fairly,” said Harry Bains, Minister of Labour. “That’s why we’re taking action to address the problems that the workers themselves raised. We know how important these services are to people in B.C. and our goal is to balance the needs of workers while supporting the continuation of these services.”

The Province states that while workers value the flexibility, many have expressed concerns about low and unpredictable wages, being cut off from the job without warning and a lack of workers’ compensation coverage if injured on the job.

“Some newcomers to Canada face language barriers or other challenges that make it difficult to find a job, and app-based work can provide a quick source of income,” said Janet Routledge, Parliamentary Secretary for Labour.

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The proposed requires legislative changes that enable new regulations to be developed.

The Proposed employment standards include:

Establishing a minimum earning standard of 20% above B.C.’s general minimum wage that is applied to engaged time, meaning time went waiting between deliveries will be unpaid.
Establish additional compensation that recognizes the cost that workers incur when using their personal vehicles for work.
Prohibit platform companies from withholding tips or making deductions from tips.
Provide pay transparency that will allow workers to see earnings for completing assignments.
Require platform companies to provide wage statements every pay period.
Provide Destination transparency including pick up and delivery locations which will allow workers to asses the desirability and safety of assignments before accepting them.
Require platform companies to inform a worker in writing for the reason for a suspension or deactivation of their account.
Extend workers’ compensation coverage from WorkSafe BC to ride-hailing and food-delivery workers.

by Sam Bennison

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B.C. proposes new protections for “gig workers”

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