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Dr Grey Stopforth, a Lecturer in Mercantile Law at the University of the Free State (UFS), has recently attained a Doctor of Laws with a specialisation in Mercantile Law, marking a significant milestone in his academic journey. His unwavering dedication to the field has resulted in invaluable contributions and groundbreaking research in labour law, with a specific focus on the challenges faced by on-demand workers, notably Uber drivers.

In his doctoral thesis, titled "Decent Work for On-Demand Workers in the Modern-Day Gig Economy," Dr Stopforth has made a pivotal contribution to the field. Through comprehensive comparative and evaluative research, he addresses the lack of labour law protection for on-demand workers, particularly platform workers like Uber drivers. Dr Stopforth's multifaceted approach aims to explore disciplines beyond law, seeking practical solutions to improve the precarious situation faced by platform workers daily.

Challenges faced by on-demand workers

Dr Stopforth highlighted the significant hurdles faced by on-demand workers, particularly the absence of labour law protections due to their classification as independent contractors. These workers lack the rights and benefits afforded to traditional employees, leading to job instability, limited access to social benefits, and inadequate dispute resolution mechanisms.

“There are numerous challenges experienced by on-demand platform workers, especially when considering the wide range of labour laws from which they are excluded,” he said. These exclusions encompass rights and protections prescribed by various acts, including the Labour Relations Act, the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, the Employment Equity Act, the Skills Development Act, the Unemployment Insurance Act, the Occupational Health & Safety Act, and the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act.

Advancing rights of Uber drivers

Dr Stopforth’s research has resulted in two accredited articles addressing vulnerability among on-demand workers. These articles highlight the struggles faced by these workers in accessing basic social and labour rights, advocating for more inclusive legislative frameworks to protect them.

“This contribution consisted of a two-part article wherein Prof Denine Smit and I identified and analysed the various categories of vulnerability among on-demand workers in the gig economy. Consequently, we concluded the first part by suggesting that while platform work could serve as an interim and viable solution to joblessness, more advocacy is needed to promote decent work within this sector,” added Dr Stopforth.

He further recommended that “the time has come for lawmakers to engage all stakeholders to reconsider traditional work categories with a view to including new forms of work, such as on-demand work, which currently do not fit the traditional work mode. In addition, we argued that at least in the interim, the time is ripe for platform companies to consider innovative and future-thinking ways in which they can mitigate the identified structural vulnerabilities.”