A London employment tribunal has ruled that a self-employed cycle courier was entitled to holiday pay.

The courier, Andrew Boxer, works for UK-based firm Excel. He launched his claim for £321.16 after he took a week long holiday in March last year for which he was not paid. Boxer was classed as self-employed because he provided his own tools, including a bike, mobile phone and protective clothing. 

The case was supported by the Independent Workers of Great Britain Union, which also supported recent gig economy cases such as the CitySprint bicycle courier case and the Pimlico Plumbers working rights case.

"The judgment is yet further evidence that of what we have known to be true all along: courier companies are unlawfully depriving their workers of rights," Jason Moyer-Lee, general secretary of the IWGB, said. "As the tribunal dominoes continue to fall we would recommend that courier companies which are not yet subject to litigation by the IWGB urgently get their act together."

Excel, which was taken over by CitySprint last year, did not attend the hearing or produce any evidence, however they had originally offered to pay Boxer for his claim to holiday pay "without acceptance of the validity of the claimant's claim", but it was rejected by Boxer.