A group of human rights lawyers has launched a class-action lawsuit against Uber South Africa, seeking to support the company’s thousands of local drivers.

The decision raises the stakes for a gig economy measure on the statewide ballot.

 A ballot measure would create a new classification for people who have been contractors. Uber and Lyft threaten to leave the state if it fails.

Former Uber drivers have accused the taxi app firm of using automated "robo-firing" algorithms to dismiss them.