22/11/2020
On Saturday in Australia the fourth food delivery driver died in an accident whilst performing their work duties. These deaths have occurred over the last few months.
There are already numerous studies indicating that these food delivery drivers are often paid an absolute pittance for their labour. The employees who undertake this work are often the most vulnerable and exploited group of often very young people. They are usually International Students desperately looking for any employment that provides them a living. As a nation we have excluded them from payments such as Job Keeper, thus making their already parlous position now completely untenable.
There are so many stakeholders who should hang their heads in shame as to their exploitative practices. Governments (both State and Federal), Academic institutions, property providers, service providers at so many levels have all seen the education sector as their little cash cow. All of them have abrogated their human rights obligations in the pursuit of the unholy dollar.
It is now time to call this out for what it is.
As an aside, I have never used food delivery services myself.
Suresh Rajan
0403 276 960