Ruling on Uber drivers gives gig economy a leg up in SA
The relationship is acknowledged to be a purely contractual one in which the company is a facilitator, not an employer, writes Robert Kayihura
Entrepreneurs and small businesses are the lifeblood of any economy. This is particularly true of an emerging economy such as SA, where a legacy of inequality, combined with significant socioeconomic barriers, lead to high levels of unemployment. An economic system that enables as well as promotes entrepreneurial thinking and creates opportunities for people to generate their own income is critical in emerging economies. Many entrepreneurial ventures that become successful grow into sustainable small and medium-sized enterprises, which create jobs and other vital economic opportunities. For all of these reasons, the "gig" economy has been broadly embraced by South Africans. It’s a unique way of working — individuals get paid for each transaction or piece of work, or "gig" that they complete, rather than being employed and receiving a predetermined salary. In July 2017, the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) determined that a number of Uber driver-partners ...
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