Uber could work around rules governing workers’ rights by running driverless cars.
The ride-hailing firm has just snapped up thousands of autonomous vehicles from Volvo just weeks after it failed to overturn a landmark legal judgement over drivers’ working rights.
A recent tribunal ruled that Uber’s drivers qualify as workers, which means they qualify for rights such as the minimum wage and holiday pay, a move that the company says could fundamentally damage the way it operates.
But it could have found a work-around.
According to reports released today Volvo is set to supply 24,000 vehicles that can support autonomous technology to Uber over three years starting from 2019.
It builds on an original $300 million deal signed between the two last year.
“The automotive industry is being disrupted by technology and Volvo Cars chooses to be an active part of that disruption,” said Volvo’s president and chief executive Hakan Samuelson.
“Our aim is to be the supplier of choice for AD ride-sharing service providers globally. Today’s agreement with Uber is a primary example of that strategic direction.”
Uber head of auto alliances Jeff Miller said: “This new agreement puts us on a path towards mass produced self-driving vehicles at scale.”
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