Spain Declares That Delivery Riders Will Be Considered Staff In EU First
Spain News
Published: 12 March 2021 13:04 CET
Spain’s government announced on Thursday a deal that will see riders working for delivery firms like UberEats and Deliveroo, recognised as salaried staff. This follows complaints made about their working conditions and is a first in the EU.
This move comes six months after Spain’s leftwing government guaranteed to clarify the legal status of all couriers that work for online delivery companies. They said that all couriers should be considered employees, instead of gig workers.
This legislation is the first that has been passed in Europe, which clearly monitors the status of delivery workers who get around on motorcycles and bikes. Numbers of which have exploded in recent years.
In Spain, as well as many other countries, couriers have on many occasions condemned their precarious working conditions. Many have taken legal action to demand that they are recognised as salaried staff, saying this would see them granted benefits such as sick leave and paid holidays, something they currently do not receive.
Speaking during a televised address, Labour Minister Yolanda Diaz said "They are now considered as salaried workers and will enjoy all the relevant protections. Spain is the first country in the European Union to legislate on the matter.”
Delivery companies have again and again insisted that they are purely acting as a go-between between businesses and the riders, who are self-employed and must pay their own health and pensions contributions.
A government ministry statement said that the text will take the form of a legislative decree and will "recognise the presumption of employment for workers who provide paid delivery services" via such digital companies.
Confusion over the courier's status has also come to light as several court rulings have gone in their favour, with others going in the favour of the delivery companies.
The Government promise came after a ruling in September at the Supreme Court that said that there was a "working relationship" between couriers and Barcelona-based food app Glovo.
Source
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210311-spain-declares-delivery-riders-to-be-staff-in-eu-first
https://www.thelocal.es/20210311/spain-to-become-first-eu-country-to-ensure-delivery-riders-are-salaried-staff/
