Union takes legal action against Uber over failure to make Sharia pension provisions for Muslim workforce

A trade union representing Uber workers has started legal action against the ride-hailing app for failing to make Sharia compliant pension arrangements for its majority Muslim workforce.

The App Drivers & Couriers Union (ACDU), the gig economy workers' union, has begun action against Uber to ensure "inclusion and access to suitable pension arrangements".

The ADCU claims Uber is in breach of Pension Act 1988 & Equality Act of 2010 by effectively excluding Muslim drivers of faith from the Uber pension.

Sharia compliance requires that pension funds should not be invested in companies involved in activities that contradict the Islam faith

This includes the production and sale of alcohol, tobacco, armaments, gambling, pork, and certain financial services.

Up to 75% of UK Uber drivers are estimated to be Muslims and the ACDU claims that the failure of Uber to provide a Sharia compliant pension option means that the majority will be forced out of participation in the pension scheme.

Or those that do participate are forced to accept compromise their faith.

The union also complained that Uber’s pension arrangements, which it says effectively exclude many drivers on the grounds of their religion, also amounts to a violation of the Equality Act 2010.

The ADCU is demanding that Uber take corrective action within 14 days.

Yaseen Aslam, president of ADCU, said: “While Uber’s belated decision, after a decade of operations in the UK, to finally open a pension scheme for their drivers is very welcome, the exclusion of a Sharia option effectively makes the pension scheme inaccessible for the vast majority of the workforce.

“We’ve tried to resolve the matter quietly with Uber, but we have simply been stonewalled.

“This is another example of how minority groups by default are forced to struggle for the most basic of rights in the gig economy.

“The ADCU is determined to contest matters through the courts to make sure Uber makes lawful, fair and inclusive pension arrangements.”

LondonWorld has contacted Uber for comment.