South-African Uber Drivers' are heading to court following a groundbreaking ruling in the United Kingdom last week.
The UK Supreme Court ruled that Uber drivers should be legally classified as workers rather than being treated as independent workers.
The UK ruling follows a class-action suit that was filed in the courts by 25 Uber drivers.
Mbuyisa Moleele Attorneys in Johannesburg announced on Tuesday that they will be preparing a similar class-action suit, assisted by Leigh Day Solicitors in London who assisted the UK drivers.
The papers will be filed in the Johannesburg Labour Court against Uber BV and Uber SA on behalf of the drivers.
The claim will be based on the drivers' entitlement to rights as employees under South African legislation and will seek compensation for unpaid overtime and holiday pay.
Uber SA operates in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria, Port Elizabeth and East London, and in 2018, it was estimated to control 75% of the South African taxi market.
Mbuyisa Moleele Attorneys and Leigh Day achieved the first two settlements in the silicosis litigation on behalf of gold miners in SA.
