It’s a first for Canada.
Ontario has set out plans that “digital gig workers” will get a minimum wage that matches the rest of the workforce.
The “Digital Platform Workers’ Rights Act” will ensure employees of digital platforms (like Ubereats & Skip the Dishes drivers) are getting a $15 minimum wage plus any tips their earn during their work hours.
When minimum wage was increased on Jan.1 gig workers weren’t included in that legislation; some employees of these online businesses were making as little as $5/hour.
There are key points that the province wants preserve around the rights and protections for digital platform workers;
- Earning at least the general minimum wage for time worked;
- The right to keep their tips along with regular pay periods;
- The right to information and clarity around algorithms including:
- how pay is calculated; and
- how and why a worker might be penalized in the allocation of work;
- Written notice if they are being removed from the platform and why;
- The right to resolve their work-related disputes in Ontario; and
- Protection from reprisal should they seek to assert their rights.
An IPSOS poll asked Ontario residents about their opinions towards digital platforms and how they treat employees;
- 89 per cent of Ontarians agree that “the workplace has changed permanently due to COVID-19 and Ontario needs to act to update employment regulations.”
- Just over half of Ontarians feel that companies take advantage of tech or technology platform workers.
- 62 per cent of Ontarians agree that the province should guarantee a certain minimum level of income for technology platform or ‘gig’ workers.
- 86 per cent of Ontarians placed a high priority on ensuring that Ontario has enough highly skilled workers to meet the needs of employers.
