Brazilian superior court rules Uber drivers are independent contractors

The Superior Court of Justice (STJ) decided that Uber drivers are not employees of the ride-hailing company. The case reached the court after a previous ruling confirming that Uber did not only mediate the relationship between drivers and consumers. In the case, the driver had claimed damages for lost income after Uber having closed his account on a unilateral basis. The STJ based its decision based on the fact that drivers have flexible work time and freedom to manage their rides. The decision set an interpretation likely to be applicable to future cases related to similar platforms. Brazil is Uber second biggest market after the United States, according to Reuters.