Australia’s delivery drivers now on R60,000 per month after ‘world-leading’ pay rise

Australia's delivery drivers are now among the world's highest-paid, following a tribunal ruling hailed as "world-leading". The Fair Work Commission has increased their hourly pay to Aus $31.30 (R357), which, working 8 hours a day for 22 days a month, results in approximately R62,800 per month. This surpasses Australia's minimum wage of R26.44 per hour (R53,000).

Union Secretary Michael Kaine praised the ruling, stating that gig workers will now enjoy top-tier standards. However, similar workers in other countries, including South Africa, lack comparable protections. The International Labour Organisation's new convention aims to extend job protections to gig workers, but many are still classified as independent contractors, denying them minimum wage, safety, and social security benefits.

South Africa's labour law recognizes certain workers as employees, but gig workers are often excluded. Proposed amendments would give them greater rights to organise and bargain collectively, yet the changes are not yet enacted. South African Uber drivers earn between R7,000 and R15,000 a month, far less than their Australian counterparts, but still more than the minimum wage of R30.23 per hour.