The likes of the Transport Workers’ Union (TWU) Queensland branch, the Queensland Trucking Association (QTA) and the McKell Institute Queensland have united to announce their official support for extending workers’ compensation to all gig workers across Queensland.
The case for extending this compensation for gig workers is part of the McKell Institute Queensland’s latest report Gig Work and Reform of Workers’ Compensation in Queensland, which highlights the vulnerabilities faced by gig workers in the transport and delivery sectors.
The report also calls for extending WorkCover protections to ensure all gig workers receive adequate compensation and rehabilitation support.
QTA CEO Gary Mahon says the industry is proud to get behind the call.
“The current system creates an uneven playing field. Good employers who comply with workers’ compensation obligations are at a competitive disadvantage compared to platforms that sidestep these responsibilities,” Mahon says.
“Extending WorkCover to all gig workers will protect vulnerable workers and promote fairness in the industry.”
TWU Director of Organising Joshua Millroy says for too long, gig workers have been treated as a second class worker in Quenesland.
“Our union has heard countless stories of gig economy workers who have had their lives ruined by the current system. For example, the story of Nirav, who was hit by a car while delivering food for a gig economy service. Nirav received insufficient compensation through his employer’s private insurance, leaving him with chronic pain and financial insecurity. His story is a common one,” Millroy says.
“We need to ensure that gig workers have the same rights to workers’ compensation as everyone else.”
McKell Institute Queensland executive director Sarah Mawhinney emphasised the importance of the reform for the community.
“Establishing WorkCover for gig workers in Queensland is not just a regulatory change; it’s a vital step towards ensuring economic fairness, worker safety, and long-term sustainability in a rapidly changing job landscape,” Mawhinney says.
“The need for reform is clear—when accidents happen, the lack of coverage can have devastating consequences for workers and their families.
“As the gig economy continues to grow, the extension of workers’ compensation coverage is a critical step towards ensuring that all workers, regardless of employment type, are afforded basic safety and security.”
The TWU and QTA both stressed that these reforms would provide necessary protections for the thousands of gig workers who keep Queensland moving.
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