Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney has reiterated calls for bogus self-employment to be eradicated and for workers to have their employment rights properly protected in law.

The call comes following reports in the Guardian newspaper that Uber delivery drivers in Ballymena and Antrim were impacted by this anomaly while delivering for McDonalds.

Speaking on this, the party’s workers’ rights spokesperson said:

“This recent example of bogus self-employment exploitation once again highlights how workers are exploited by being expected to fulfil employee roles but denied their rights in respects of holidays or pay. 

“This practice creates uncertainty for workers around their rights. It also gives cover for unscrupulous employers to escape liabilities that would otherwise apply in direct employment terms, rather than through the contracting of services.

“This is another case of precarious work superseding properly paid jobs and fair terms and conditions. 

“Sinn Féin Economy Minister Conor Murphy has set out proposals to end bogus self-employment within the ‘Good Jobs’ Employment Rights Bill. 

“This is the most comprehensive and progressive employment legislation to be introduced in the North. I look forward to working with the minister to ensure that his proposals are passed into law in order to tackle exploitation in the workplace and to strengthen overall workers’ rights.”