South African Uber drivers at risk

KIM HARRISBERGUber South Africa pledged to increase safety campaigns for food delivery drivers and review the insurance they provide following a Thomson Reuters Foundation expose about the mounting risks faced by drivers during the Covid-19 pandemic.The expose published earlier this month found a lack of training and safety equipment as rising numbers of mainly migrant drivers take to the roads to earn a living, and poorly advertised and often insufficient insurance cover.Figures obtained exclusively by the Thomson Reuters Foundation showed a 30% jump in road accidents involving food couriers in May and June last year as South Africa eased its lockdown and the numbers of drivers rose."As a business we prioritise the safety of everyone who uses our app and we work hard every day to be the best we can be, but there is always room for improvement," said Samantha Fuller, spokeswoman for Uber in sub-Saharan Africa.Although these campaigns were already planned, Uber confirmed that they will be increasing the frequency to ensure more drivers know of the safety offerings available to them, such as emergency assistance and injury protection.Of 27 delivery drivers interviewed by the Thomson Reuters Foundation all of whom were migrants and involved in accidents only five knew of any insurance scheme by gig platforms, including one who got compensation for lost income.This compensation was from local grocery delivery company, Checkers Sixty60, but the driver in question said the amount of R5 200 was not enough to cover his medical costs. - Nampa/Reuters

South African Uber drivers at risk

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Republikein 2026-07-02

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South African Uber drivers at risk

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