Uber's court loss in October was part of a wider dispute between some businesses and unions (video first published in October).

Susan Hornsby-Geluk is managing partner at employment law firm Dundas Street and a regular opinion contributor.

OPINION: In his second round of policy reprioritisation since becoming prime minister, Chris Hipkins announced last week that the Government is ditching contractor law reform from its agenda for the foreseeable future.

The reason for this is apparently twofold. Firstly, the need to focus on “bread and butter issues” for New Zealanders, and secondly, the pending appeal of the Employment Court’s decision in which four Uber drivers were found to be employees.

The Government initially announced a review of the law relating to contractors in late 2019 with the objective of exploring “better protections for vulnerable contractors”, including whether they should have the same rights and obligations as employees.

READ MORE:
* Unions signal disappointment over Hipkins' delay to contractor reforms
* Policy purge: Chris Hipkins cuts a swathe of once trumpeted Government projects
* Uber drivers to begin collective bargaining after landmark court ruling

Currently, employees are afforded significantly greater protections than contractors. They are entitled to minimum employment rights under the Employment Relations Act 2000 and other legislation, ensuring they are paid at least the minimum wage, receive holiday and leave entitlements, and can bring...

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