SC ruling on Lazada riders a first of many future victories for gig workers—Hontiveros

Senator Risa Hontiveros on Monday, January 23 lauded the Supreme Court’s ruling favoring the dismissed riders of Lazada E-Services Philippines, Inc., saying it is the first of many future victories for the gig economy workers.

The Supreme Court had earlier ruled in favor of the five riders who alleged that the management of the popular delivery app illegally dismissed them.

The SC challenged the rulings of the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) and the Court of Appeals which found no employer-employee relationship existed between the petitioners and Lazada.

“The decision of the Supreme Court declaring Lazada’s five delivery rider employees is a success and inspiration for all delivery riders. Because of this decision, it is clear that our courts place a great value on the promotion of social justice and the defense of the rights of workers,” Hontiveros said in a statement.

“Finally, there is strong basis and proof that delivery riders and those in the gig economy are employees and not just independent contractors. Our efforts to fight for our rights and job security are bearing fruit. Our efforts are never wasted,” she stressed.

With this, the senator said she hopes to expedite the enactment of the proposed Protected Online Workers, Entrepreneurs, Riders and Racketeers (POWERR) Act or Senate Bill No. 1373.

The proposed POWERR Act seeks to regulate work mediated, organized or allocated through online platforms for the protection of Filipinos working in the gig economy.

She said the SC decision would provide guidance for lawmakers in ensuring those in the gig economy a sense of job security, access to benefits such as SSS, PAG-IBIG, maternity leave, insurance and other benefits of an employee, and transparency in online platforms and contracts.

“This is just the first of many future victories for the gig economy workers,” she said.

“I am also positive that the forces of our fellow delivery riders will get stronger and like the five who won their battle, they will achieve the benefits they deserve,” the lawmaker stressed.