This article was taken from The Age: ‘Little duty of care’: Third delivery rider dies on the road in a month.
Image from News Line Australia: ‘Little duty of care’: Third delivery rider dies on the road in a month.

Chow Khai Shien, a 36-year-old from Malaysia, was working for US delivery giant DoorDash when his scooter was struck by what police allege was a stolen car about 7pm on Saturday night.

Mr Chow’s relatives told Chinese language media in Australia they had to wait for more than a day before being told what had happened to him.

The family became alarmed after Mr Chow did not get in touch or log onto social media for 24 hours.

“He is alone in Melbourne … we are all super worried,” Mr Chow’s sister posted on Facebook before being told of his death.

Police confirmed on Tuesday the man killed on Saturday was a 36-year-old from Malaysia. A 20-year-old woman has been charged over the incident with driving culpably causing death, recklessly endangering life and stealing a motor vehicle, among other offences.

The Transport Workers Union, which has been lobbying for sick leave, higher pay, mandatory training and safety gear for gig economy workers, notified WorkSafe Victoria of Mr Chow’s death.

Unlike employees, riders for companies like DoorDash are classified as independent contractors, which means they have flexibility about when and how they work but do not get workers’ compensation, sick leave or paid holidays.

“The idea that their company has so little duty of care to them that it takes over 24 hours for family to be informed when a rider is killed is disgusting,” the union’s Victorian secretary John Berger said.

A DoorDash spokeswoman confirmed Mr Chow was working for the company at the time of his death.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Chow Khai Shien, a Melbourne-area Dasher, and our thoughts are with his family, friends and loved ones,” the spokeswoman said.

 

Read the full article here.

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