In a national first, the Victorian state government is taking action to protect the rights of gig economy workers.

Minister for Industrial Relations Tim Pallas today released the government’s response to the Inquiry into the Victorian On-Demand Workforce, including $5 million in funding support delivered as part of the Victorian Budget 2021/22.

“Every person deserves to feel safe and secure at work, especially gig workers who so many of us relied on throughout the pandemic,” Pallas said.

Funding will help work begin immediately on implementing the government’s response to the 20 recommendations of the Inquiry’s report – including setting principles-based standards to provide fairer conditions for on-demand workers and ensure platforms operate transparently.

That includes early work on options for government support to give platform workers and businesses alike easy access to clear advice around work status, rights and entitlements, while also helping to resolve disputes.

Fair conduct and accountability standards will be developed together with industry and unions to establish shared principles on work status, fair conditions and pay, worker representation and safety.

The inquiry was commissioned by the Labor Government in 2018 following widespread concerns from workers and the union movement over the wages and conditions offered to gig workers, chaired by former Fair Work Ombudsman Natalie James.

The inquiry found that many workers have an uncertain work status, impacting their superannuation and rights to accident compensation. It also found that advice about work status is often limited and fragmented.

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