Labor vows 'fairer' system for gig workers

NSW Labor leader Luke Foley says he will modernise the state's industrial relations laws to protect workers in the emerging gig economy if elected in March.

Food delivery riders and those contracted to jobs online are being promised "fairer" treatment if NSW Labor wins the next state election.

Opposition Leader Luke Foley has promised to revamp industrial relation laws to ensure gig economy workers get the same legal protections afforded to people in other jobs if elected in March.

He plans to give the Industrial Relations Commission the power to make orders on minimum wage and entitlements including sick leave, annual holidays and superannuation for people who get work through online platforms or networks such as Uber and Air Tasker.

"As it stands workers in the gig economy are effectively stranded without protection. That needs to change," Mr Foley told reporters on Sunday.

The announcement was welcomed by the Transport Workers Union, which says three-in-four food delivery riders are paid below minimum rates.

It came as federal Labor called on the Turnbull government to urgently address workplace conditions for food delivery riders.