B.C. Uber driver attacked on the job calls for better protection for gig workers

An Uber driver who is unable to work after he was attacked by a passenger is calling for better protections for gig workers.

Abbotsford resident Aman Sood stood outside the B.C. legislature Wednesday alongside the president of the B.C. Federation of Labour asking for the government to make sure contract workers like him are covered by WorkSafeBC.

Sood’s injuries, including nerve damage to his neck and shoulder and a sprained wrist, have left him unable to work and without a source of income.

Sood said that on April 18, he picked up a passenger who became verbally abusive after he took a wrong turn. When the verbal abuse continued, Sood pulled into a gas station and said he was going to end the ride.

Sood said the passenger punched him repeatedly on the back of the neck and then the assault continued outside the cab. He said the man threatened to kill him.