In a watershed moment for the gig economy, app-based food delivery company Menulog managing director Morten Belling has committed to moving to an employment-based model for the company. Giving evidence to a Senate Inquiry into job security, he said they intended to apply to the Fair Work Commission for a new award for the on-demand industry with minimum wages and conditions. While he said the company complies with IR laws, they wanted to help enhance the life standards of their couriers by increasing current insurance cover and examining portable leave entitlements and superannuation for their couriers.

Their aim is to trial a pilot program with couriers in the Sydney CBD.

TWU national secretary says the TWU will work with Menulog “on this important trial which will challenge the myth that flexibility and fairness are at odds”.

Professionals Australia CEO Jill McCabe said the union fully supports greater protections for gig economy workers and that it’s essential to protect companies making the shift towards providing essential rights and protections for workers. “Menulog is to be commended for wanting to put in place minimum wages and conditions and to move away from the exploitative model that currently exists”, she said. “We need to ensure they are not put at a competitive disadvantage for resisting the race to the bottom in the industry.”