The ride-hail company has reached an agreement with the Transport Workers’ Union of Australia to support creating an independent group to set industry standards on gig worker pay, benefits and other working conditions. (Bloomberg)

Talking point: Uber also said workers in the country should have the right to join a union and for collective bargaining. The Australian agreement follows similar ones in other countries, including Canada. Uber struck a deal with the United Food and Commercial Workers Canada (UFCW) union earlier this year to let it support its drivers and couriers in work-related disputes. However, the partnership does not grant them union status. Gig workers tend to be classified as independent contractors rather than employees, but they’re increasingly fighting that label to gain better pay, benefits and other standards for permanent staff. In Ontario, the province’s Superior Court certified a class action against Uber in August that seeks to classify its couriers and drivers as employees.