IN THE NEWS


BOLT DRIVER’S FAMILY WANT TAXI SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS AS TEENAGERS FOUND GUILTY OF HIS MANSLAUGHTER


The family of a Bolt driver lured to his death by robbers has called for “change in the gig economy” as his killers were brought to justice. Gabriel Bringye, 37, was stabbed to death after he responded to a fake fare in Tottenham in February last year. MyLondon reports that following an Old Bailey trial, a 19-year-old and an 18- year-old were cleared of murder but found guilty of manslaughter. Judge Angela Rafferty QC adjourned sentenc- ing until May 3 and remanded the defendants into custody. Since his death, Mr Bringye’s family has launched a safety campaign in his name aimed at protecting drivers. In a joint statement, his sister Renata Bringye and fiancée Mara Fazecas said: “There is no justice for Gabriel without


wider change in the gig economy. What we can and must do is make sure everything is done to save lives like Gabriel’s in future. “Corporations such as Bolt which make billions on the backs of precarious workers, need to show some humanity, respect their basic rights and take more responsibility for the safety of customers and drivers alike. That’s what Gabriel’s Campaign for Driver Safety is all about. The family and their campaign are being supported by the IWGB. General secretary, Henry Chango-Lopez, said: “Every member of our union stands in solidarity with Gabriel’s family who are campaigning courageously for positive change in his name. Gabriel’s death affected drivers deeply because of the


sense ‘it could have been anyone of us.’ “Two thirds of IWGB drivers and couriers working in the gig economy have been physically attacked doing their jobs - these same workers hailed as heroes for getting us through the pandemic. “We must all speak up against this gig economy model of all profit and no accountability before one more life is lost. As a first step we call on Bolt to lis- ten to the family’s concerns.” A Bolt spokesperson said: “We are con- stantly assessing and improving our safety protection. Our in-app SOS but- ton can be deployed by drivers and connects directly to the emergency ser- vices and Bolt’s safety team. In the past year we have introduced welfare checks on static vehicles and 24/7 driver sup- port both in-app and on the phone.”


APRIL 2022


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