Uber drives a hard bargain in Africa at the cost of its drivers: But the drivers don’t get a say, or the benefits gained by their overseas peers
The interview with Frans Hiemstra, Uber’s general manager for sub-Saharan Africa, and his communications manager, Mpho Sebelebele, begins with a half-truth.
But the global e-hailing company has a major financial incentive to not treat their drivers as employees. If it had to guarantee salaries, give sick leave and take responsibility for drivers’ safety and security, its business model would not be nearly so lucrative. The interview with Hiemstra, conducted on Zoom, is arranged to coincide with Africa Day. It is intended to showcase the company’s positive contributions to economic growth and development on the continent.
Hiemstra, who comes from a finance and consulting background, is keen to talk about Uber’s social and economic effect in Africa. “We are not just a company that brings you your car, we can bring things to you, we can move you places, and we’ve been able to leverage that to do good,” he says, referencing Uber’s vaccine drive which helped 95 000 South Africans access a Covid-19 vaccine.
In response to follow-up questions, an Uber spokesperson said: “Earnings do fluctuate as a normal part of the business. They are affected by factors such as seasonality and the macroeconomic environment [cost of living, fuel etc] …. Recently, we have seen driver earnings begin to recover in South Africa.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
FF Plus - 'Farm murders in South Africa are out of control' - South Africa TodayAlheit Smit (77), discovered the bodies of his wife, Sisi, his seventeen-year-old stepson and the five female employees
Read more »
Women’s Africa Cup of Nations match report Zambia v South Africa 18 July 2022🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦 Banyana Banyana booked their spot in the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final after snatching a 1-0 victory over Zambia on Monday night. Read more ➡️
Read more »
South Africa/Zambia: Stoppage-Time Motlhalo Penalty Sends South Africa in WAFCON FinalSouth Africa reached the final of the 2022 Total Energies Women's Africa Cup of Nations after overcoming Zambia 1-0 in Casablanca on Monday.
Read more »
Women’s Africa Cup of Nations match report Zambia v South Africa 18 July 2022BREAKING! Banyana Banyana have advanced to Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final after defeating Zambia 1-0 on Monday night. SLInt MORE:
Read more »
Uber drives a hard bargain in Africa at the cost of its driversUber drives a hard bargain in Africa at the cost of its drivers - But the drivers don’t get a say, or the benefits gained by their overseas peers
Read more »
Medical cannabis use - is it allowed in the workplace in South Africa?Medical cannabis use - is it allowed in the workplace in South Africa? The laws surrounding the legalities of cannabis use when it comes to the workplace are some that tend to confuse many...
Read more »