SA’s hospitality body slams Uber Eats for damaging local businesses
The Australian Hotels Association SA has called for government intervention into the food delivery sector, saying Uber Eats is damaging South Australia’s hospitality industry.
Speaking to The Advertiser, AHA SA general manager Ian Horne has warned businesses to be cautious when signing up with the food delivery giant.
“The app is designed to disrupt traditional business structures for the advantage of Uber Eats shareholders,” he said.
“Uber Eats owns no restaurants … they employ no one in the preparation of food or prepare any food.
“Even the delivery personnel are contractors who do not have award rates of pay, penalty rates, workers compensation coverage or superannuation – all of these being a legal obligation of bricks and mortar venues.”
A state government spokesperson said it would consider any proposals on how the industry should be regulated, with restaurants also lining up to voice their concerns.
Among the complaints are the fees charged by food delivery firms, and the lack of control of the service standard of delivery.
Speaking to The Advertiser, an Uber Eats spokeswoman said it “handles all customer service inquiries, provides customer refunds where required and will process eligible refunds on behalf of the restaurant partners”.
Sheridan Randall, 4th November 2019
