Uber and taxi: same rights in the Netherlands

In the Netherlands, the drivers under contract with Uber are indeed employees of the American company. For the Dutch courts, they are not self-employed, they are covered by the collective agreement for taxi drivers. ‘they are entitled to the same benefits.

Uber immediately announced that it was appealing, saying it was disappointed; the company says the overwhelming majority of drivers want to remain independent and do not want to give up their freedom. “We are disappointed with this decision because we know that the vast majority of drivers wish to remain independent”, said Maurits Schönfeld, Uber Director for Northern Europe. “Drivers don’t want to give up their freedom to choose if, when and where to work.”

For the CNetherlands Trade Union Federation who went to court, Uber drivers are entitled to a higher salary. And in some cases, back wages. Uber has 4,000 drivers in Amsterdam alone.

For the American firm, the subject of the requalification of drivers is a sea serpent.

In March, in the United Kingdom, Uber granted more than 70,000 drivers a hybrid status of “salaried workers”, which allows them to benefit from the minimum wage, paid vacation and access to a pension fund.