In another setback for Uber, a Swiss insurance agency has ruled the ride-hailing app’s drivers are employees, which means the company would have to pay social security contributions for them. <br /><br /> The ruling came from Suva – a public sector provider of work accident insurance – which is mandatory in Switzerland.<br /><br /> According to a report by Swiss broadcaster SRF, Suva concluded the drivers are staff because they faced consequences for not meeting Uber rules and could not set prices and payment terms independently.<br /><br /> Uber insists its drivers are freelance contractors which has led to accusations it is bypassing national labour protection standards.<br /><br /> It said it will challenge the ruling, which it claims applied to just one driver. <br /><br /> Trade union representatives hailed the ruling, but local Uber boss Rasoul Jalali pointed out to SRF that the Suva decision was not the final word.<br /><br /> “If we cannot find an agreement with Suva, we will have to rely on the courts,” he said.<br /><br /> The company is also appealing against a British employment tribunal ruling in October 2016 that it can no longer treat its UK drivers as self-employed.<br />
