More than 7,000 food delivery couriers in the UK have brought a legal case seeking recognition as workers rather than independent contractors. The outcome will determine whether they are entitled to protections like minimum wage and paid leave. The dispute stems from the company’s shift back toward a gig-based model after previously offering more secure employment arrangements to a smaller group of riders. Workers argue that the current system leaves them without basic protections, while the company maintains that flexibility is central to the role. The case reflects ongoing legal uncertainty around employment classification in platform-based work.
See "Thousands of Just Eat couriers launch legal action to improve workers’ rights", Sarah Butler, The Guardian, May 4, 2026