WRC rejects jurisdiction in taxi discrimination complaint against FREENOW

The Workplace Relations Commission decided it had no jurisdiction to hear Amit Chawla’s complaint against Freenow Ireland Limited., in a decision dated 16 June 2025. Chawla alleged an independent taxi driver refused to take him and harassed him on grounds of race, disability and sexual orientation. The WRC found the driver, rather than the booking platform, provided the transport service. It found no employment or agency relationship, control by the company, or basis for holding it vicariously liable. The allegations about the driver were not substantively decided.