22-year-old Akshay Doultani was killed when an SUV hit his delivery motorbike in the Epping area in Sydney while he was working for Uber Eats.
Akshay came from Mumbai in India to study Master’s degree in finance at Macquarie University in Sydney in February after receiving a scholarship.
Senator Tony Sheldon identified Akshay in his short statement to parliament highlighting the plight of gig workers in Australia.
“Twelve deaths since 2017, 12 families who have been failed by the system. Akshay deserves flexibility on his terms. Having that minimum safety net may have saved one of those 12 lives.”
Akshay is the 12th food delivery rider to be killed on the Australian road since 2017.
Akshay’s cousin Pratik Kamath told the ABC:
“The only reason why he wanted to come abroad was not [just to] have a good life for himself but to provide more amenities for his family so they could live a lifestyle that was much better.”
Akshay was riding for Uber Eats on 22 July when there was a collision with an SUV.
Paramedics treated Akshay and took him to the Royal North Shore Hospital where he died hours later.
Akshay’s uncle Sunil Paryani travelled from Hong Kong to repatriate the body told ABC:
“The most important thing is to get Akshay back home and then we can have our own Indian rituals, after that we will see the course of action we take. It’s very hard for the parents to digest their only son is no more.”
Uber Eats said in a statement:
“We are in contact with his family and loved ones and are providing our support.”
NSW Police and Safework NSW are investigating Akshay’s accident and death.
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