Uber Launches Uber Works To Connect Workers To Gig Jobs

Uber is rolling out a new app called Uber Works that will help people looking for shift work connect with companies looking to hire temps, Reuters reported on Thursday (Oct. 3).

The app is being tested in Chicago and will show available shifts companies are looking to fill with temporary workers.

“Uber Works has a business dashboard and we connect directly with businesses, including restaurants and others, to assist them with filling empty shifts,” a company spokesman told Reuters.

Uber Works will team up with employment firms such as TrueBlue Inc. as well as link with firms directly.

Temporary workers will get detailed information about available shifts, skills needed, location and pay being offered.

Uber is looking to diversify and is facing increased competition in Asia. The company also posted second-quarter losses of $5.2 billion. Questions are being circulated about its strength to stay competitive.

In other Uber news, the company just purchased Dubai’s ride-hailing startup Careem for $3 billion.

Founded in 2012, the ride-hailing unicorn – which is valued at over $1 billion – was the premier tech startup in the Middle East and North Africa. Uber paid $3.1 billion to take ownership. The deal is expected to close in January of 2020.

Although the startup will be a wholly-owned Uber subsidiary, Careem will continue to operate under its own brand, the news outlet reported.

Careem has 33 million customers and 1.2 million drivers and operates in more than 100 cities across 14 countries from Morocco to Pakistan.

Careem’s backers have included Saudi Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal’s investment firm and Japanese eCommerce company Rakuten.

The move shows that Uber is committed to the Middle East, where a Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund run by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is located.

“This transaction brings together Uber’s global leadership and technical expertise with Careem’s regional technology infrastructure and proven ability to develop innovative local solutions,” Uber said in a statement to the news outlet.