The potential judicial review comes after an overhaul of safety standards imposed upon the on-demand delivery industry by the NSW and Victorian governments,and apush by unions and the federal opposition to change workplace legislation affecting members of the gig economy.
Mr Fredy,36,died three days after a collision with a car in Marrickville,in Sydney’s inner west,in September 2020,leaving behind family in Indonesia.
Mr Paul,27,from Bangladesh,died in hospital after a crash with a car in the southern Sydney suburb of Rockdale about 11am on November 21 while completing an order. Mr Chen,43,died on September 29 after a collision with a bus in Zetland. Less is known about Ik Wong,who died in Sydney on November 23.
The Department of Communities and Justice has confirmed the deaths are being reviewed by deputy state coroner Derek Lee to determine whether an inquest will proceed.
The Transport Workers’ Union,which contributed to a rider safety taskforce led by NSW’s transport and work safety authorities,urged the court to proceed with the inquest,with national secretary Michael Kaine saying investigations are long overdue.
“The families of riders killed continue to grapple with the indescribable loss of their loved one and deserve answers. That’s why these inquests must proceed,” Mr Kaine said,joining calls to expand any investigation to include the death in April 2020 of 30-year-old Turkish student Burak Dogan.
Mr Dogan was an Uber Eats rider but whether he was riding for the platform at the time of his death is a point of contention.