Shillong, August 3: A tragic incident in Sydney last month claimed the life of a 22-year-old Indian student, Akshay Doultani, who worked as an Uber Eats rider.
Akshay came to Sydney in February on a scholarship to pursue a Master’s degree in finance at Macquarie University. However, his dreams were cut short when his bike collided with an SUV, and he succumbed to his injuries at the Royal North Shore Hospital on July 22.
Labor senator Tony Sheldon confirmed Akshay’s identity in parliament and expressed grief over the loss. Akshay became the 12th food delivery rider to be killed on the job since 2017. His cousin shared that Akshay had aspired to provide a better life for his family, which is why he came abroad for studies.
To support his education, Akshay worked as a food delivery rider at least three times a week. His untimely demise has been devastating for his family, and his uncle, Sunil Paryani, travelled from Hong Kong to bring his nephew’s body back.
The fatal crash is under investigation by the New South Wales (NSW) Police and Safework NSW. Senator Sheldon highlighted the dangers of the gig economy, where workers are forced to push themselves to the limit to make ends meet. He called for transport reforms to ensure gig workers, who number around 250,000 in the industry, receive basic employment rights and proper compensation.
Uber Eats, in response, emphasized its commitment to delivery workers’ safety and stated that they are covered by a support package specifically designed for them in Australia. However, the incident has sparked discussions about improving the safety and working conditions of gig workers in the country.