Court rules that Deliveroo riders are 'not employees'

DELIVEROO has won a seven-year legal battle to prevent its riders from being represented by unions in pay talks, after the Supreme Court ruled that they are not employees.

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The court said that riders are self-employed. As a result, the company did not have to recognise the Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain for collective bargaining on behalf of riders.

The court based its decision on the fact that Deliveroo riders can work when they see fit and do not have specified hours, can work for rival companies and appoint a substitute to do a job for them.

This, it said, "is totally inconsistent with there being an employment relationship".