South Africa arbitration body: Uber drivers are employees

The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration in South Africa (an independent arbitration body) ruled that Uber drivers are subject to Uber’s control, and, as such, employees. The decision came in favour of a group of drivers who were fired by Uber by deactivating them from the Uber application without reason. According to the Commission, although drivers can choose their working hours, and decide whether to accept, decline, or ignore a request for a ride, Uber controls the manner in which they work, by setting ‘clear standards and performance requirements’. Uber announced it would challenge the decision in the Labour Court.