Gig Workers Face Heatwave Dilemma: Health or Paycheck?

Gig economy delivery riders in Australia face a critical choice during heatwaves: prioritize their health or their income. As temperatures soar, demand for deliveries increases, exposing riders to extreme heat risks from sun and hot pavements. Many riders, often migrants new to Australia's climate, lack adequate protections due to their independent contractor status. This classification means they are incentivized by algorithms to work quickly, intensifying their heat exposure.

Experts advocate for significant changes, including mandatory temperature cutoffs across industries, similar to protections won by construction unions. They argue current policies are insufficient for escalating heatwave risks. Initiatives like a Gig Workers' Hub in Melbourne aimed to provide a safe space but faced funding issues, though similar projects are being explored elsewhere. The Transport Workers' Union reports numerous deaths among gig workers since 2017, emphasizing the urgent need for improved safety standards and fair wages, especially as extreme weather events become more frequent.