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Employment Rights GMB victory over Amazon sees its delivery drivers paid £20,000 in backpay

AMAZON delivery drivers have won up to £20,000 each in back pay after their union challenged the online retailer’s use of bogus self-employment to deny them rights at work.

General union GMB represents many drivers employed by delivery firm UK Express, which delivers goods for Amazon.

UK Express used bogus self-employment to deny its employees their rights such as the minimum wage, holiday pay, sick pay, paid rest breaks and employment rights such as protection from unfair dismissal.

GMB challenged UK Express and the company backed down before the cases reached an employment tribunal.

The union said the victory meant some drivers would receive up to £20,000 in back pay.

Similar victories have been won against minicab transnational Uber and delivery firm DX, which used bogus self-employment to deny workers their rights.

GMB legal director Maria Ludkin said: “This is yet another brick in the road in GMB’s battle against bogus self-employment.

“Some employers seem to think they can avoid paying the minimum wage or giving their workers the protection to which they are entitled.

“However, as Amazon and UK Express have now realised, this is not optional — it’s the law.

“The drivers delivering for Amazon, like Uber drivers and delivery drivers for DX, are clearly employees and it is gratifying that the company are shelling out 100 per cent of the amounts claimed.

“GMB will continue to fight bogus self-employment wherever it appears.”

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