Calls to regulate the gig economy

Allegations of unlicensed asbestos removal performed through the job posting website Airtasker have prompted Unions NSW to begin a national push for a new body to properly regulate the gig economy.

Unions NSW Secretary Mark Morey said the gig economy has outpaced traditional regulation and needs its own dedicated body to ensure safety and licensing standards are met.

According to the Unions, issues of safety and licensing on the website remain a serious concern. The Unions claims to have collected evidence of serious safety and licensing concerns including jobs that have been posted requesting workers to break up and dispose of asbestos sheeting.

It has been alleged that in one job a worker was paid $50 to remove five sheets of asbestos, and was provided only a safety mask for protection. A Perth plumber said he was banned from the site for pointing out licensing and safety breaches.

“While there have been some improvements to wages and conditions on Airtasker, the reality is businesses establishing in the gig economy have a ‘catch us if you can’ mentality to regulation,” Morey said.

“Between now and the national ALP conference, we will campaign for an incoming Labor government to establish an independent body that would monitor the gig economy and work closely with trade unions to make sure minimum wages aren’t undercut and basic safety and licensing standards are met.

“This is about saving the gig economy from itself. Unless we put a floor under this unregulated work, it will eventually suck all of us down.”

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