LONDON Reuters - Thousands of Britons delivering Amazon items should receive entitlements such as the minimum wage, according to a law firm which is launching an employee rights claim against the U.S. giant.
At least 3,000 people making deliveries via 'Delivery Service Partners' are currently self-employed but should be reclassified as employees with rights such as sick pay, according to law firm Leigh Day.
Total compensation could reach 140 million pounds $191 million it said.
Drivers delivering for Amazon have to work set shift and book time off, yet Amazon insist they are self-employed, said Kate Robinson, a solicitor on the employment team.
The action is one of many in a long battle with firms over how people should be classified at work. The Supreme Court ruled earlier in 2021 against Uber on worker rights.
In a statement, Amazon said: We are committed to ensure these drivers are treated fairly by the delivery companies they work with and compensated with respect, and this is reflected by the positive feedback we get from drivers every day.