Aussie who can't get an Uber because he's 'too fat' claims that he is being discriminated against
When Martin calls an Uber to drive around Melbourne, he said it's normal to expect that the first few drivers will cancel his trip.
He said he has grown accustomed to the 'gut-wrenching feeling' of being refused entry to a driver's vehicle after they pull up.
'It's because of my size. I'm morbidly obese, I don't shy away from that,' he told A Current Affair on Wednesday.
'The drivers take one look at me and they go right past me.'
Martin lives on a disability pension due to his weight and relies on rideshare services to get to his parents' home, where he cares for them.
Due to personal reasons he did not share, he is unable to lose his desired amount of weight despite his best efforts.
In Victoria, it is against the law under the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 to discriminate against someone based on their physical features.
Under the law, employers must take steps to eliminate discrimination in their workplaces.
Under what is called a 'positive duty' companies can be held responsible if their workers partake in discrimination.
Martin said the 'horrible' feeling of being judged by those around him doesn't just apply to Uber rides.
He recalled feeling self conscious while eating in public, visiting shopping centres and attending medical appointments and has even taken to cutting his own hair to avoid scrutiny at salons.
However, the incredibly direct action of an Uber driver turning around and cancelling a trip after seeing Martin particularly stings.
'It feels, it feels like I'm less than a human being. I want to be able to be like everyone else,' he said.
'They see me and then they keep driving and when they get to the corner, they cancel - then that gut-wrenching feeling where you go, 'It's happened again'.'
Martin has documented every Uber driver who cancelled his trip at the last minute over several years.
When he submitted his complaints to Uber, he claimed he consistently was told the drivers would undergo improved training.
'They occasionally send me a $10 voucher because that's how much a human's dignity is worth,' Martin said.
Martin called for Uber to take action against drivers who discriminated against customers based on weight.
He wanted to be treated with 'dignity' when using rideshare services.
Uber said in a statement it has a 'zero tolerance policy towards any form of discrimination'.
'Our community guidelines clearly prohibit discrimination of any kind,' an Uber spokesperson said.
'We work to inform driver partners about those standards, hold them accountable for their actions, and make it clear that this behaviour can result in them losing access to the Uber app.'
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