Human cloud firm Uber announced that it plans to offer European drivers access to medical cover and compensation for work-related injuries. These protections extend to sick pay, parental leave and bereavement payments.

Uber said that ‘Partner Protection’ will be made available for more than 150,000 drivers and couriers at no cost and will be provided in 21 European countries, including the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain.

The new protections come after criticism of the ride-hailing app’s use of independent workers who did not have access to the same rights and benefits as employees.

Uber has faced challenges across Europe over the employment status of its drivers. In 2016, a London employment tribunal ruled that Uber drivers in the UK should be classified as workers and not self-employed. Uber appealed the case. Uber is also appealing a decision from Transport for London which denied Uber a new licence to operate in the city on the basis that the company is not a “fit and proper” private car hire operator. 

Meanwhile, earlier this year in France, a Paris labour tribunal ruled in favour of Uber over the employment status of one of its drivers.