Ontario government announces workers' rights bill

The introduction of the Digital Platform Workers' Rights Bill is the Doug Ford government's latest statement of support for workers before the June election of provincial MPs.

The new law should provide fundamental rights for gig workers (people working in app-based services like Uber delivery, Tookan, Lyft, etc., including drivers and couriers), including a minimum wage of $15 CAD per hour, as well as transparency in the payment of tips.

"No gig worker should be paid less than minimum wage," said Labor Secretary Monte McNaughton.

At the same time, the amount established in the Act will be charged only during "active hours", when drivers make a delivery or make a trip.

The Digital Platform Workers' Rights Act covers a number of other legal issues for gig workers Ontario. For example, the right to be informed in writing about how their wages are calculated. "We keep hearing stories about how one week a gig worker can make $1,400 CAD and the next week only $500 CAD, without even knowing why," said Ontario Labour Minister Monte McNaughton. Only transparency of pay for gig workers can give them the assurance that they will always know how the algorithm works and how the payments are made.

In addition, it is planned to provide information to employees about the performance evaluation system and the consequences of receiving a low rating, as well as what factors are taken into account in the allocation of orders. However, if the bill passes, it would make it illegal for platform operators to withhold tips, as would removal from the platform without notice or reason. An important innovation will be the ability to adjudicate labour disputes in Ontario without leaving Canada. The rights afforded by the Act will be available to gig workers as soon as they sign up for the application.

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