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15 Oct 2024

S. Africa: Migrant delivery workers face lethal, hazardous conditions with minimal financial support from gig platforms; incl. comment from Uber

SFIO CRACHO, Shutterstock (licensed)

This report from Gig Workers Rising in South Africa highlights the lethal conditions facing motorbike couriers across the country everyday. Up to 95% gig riders are migrants from neighbouring countries who have no other employment opportunities. Context journalists Kim Harrisberg and Kimberly Mutandiro spoke to workers who described severe and life-changing injuries, including one worker who lost his eye in an accident, yet workers say financial support from companies is non-existent.

The accompanying video to the report says:

Mr D and Checkers60 did not comment. But, in a statement, Uber says that among other offerings it has added an in-app emergency button, which dispatches security and medical officers. The company says accident insurance is available to all drivers, following an investigation. But drivers we spoke to said they were unaware of the insurance, were too afraid to claim it, or had their claims rejected.