"Sandshoe-wearing billionaires" are exploiting workers in the new gig economy, according to unions, who are supporting a former food delivery rider in what they say is Australia's first unfair dismissal claim of its kind.
Josh Klooger says he was sacked by on-demand food delivery service Foodora earlier this year after he stood up to the tech giant for better working conditions.
Mr Klooger has brought his claim to the Fair Work Commission, arguing he was dismissed in March after speaking publicly about the low pay and poor conditions riders were exposed to.
"Something needed to change so I decided to speak up about it and I've lost my job," Mr Klooger told reporters in Sydney on Tuesday.
Supporting the 28-year-old is the Transport Workers Union, whose acting national secretary Michael Kane likened Foodora's conduct to "exploitation 1800s-style".
"This is not some shiny new economy - this is old-fashioned exploitation 1800s-style, this time by sandshoe wearing billionaires via an app," Mr Kane said.
"The TWU will lead evidence that shows Foodora knows it is gaming the system, that these arrangements are a sham and that they're put in place to rip rights off Australian workers."
A Foodora spokeswoman said the company would not be commenting as the matter was still before the courts.
"It is not appropriate for Foodora to make any comment at this time," she told AAP in a statement.
