Food Deliverers’ Uprising: Strike Action Demands Better Pay and Regulations from Uber Eats

The Brussels courier collective, The House of Deliverers, is leading a strike action on Tuesday and Wednesday for food deliverers working on the Uber Eats platform. This is in response to their demands for a pay increase of at least 2 euros per trip and 0.5 euros per kilometer traveled.

The couriers argue that fees have not increased since 2019 despite a 20 percent increase in inflation. They also criticize Uber for not consulting with them on their employment status and the government’s lack of regulation in this area. In 2019, the labor court ruled that meal deliverers should be considered employees, but no changes have been made yet.

The strike action has received support from the Christian trade union ACV, which is calling on participants to join the demonstration. Several hundred couriers are expected to participate, with a focus on Brussels but also reaching out to couriers in other cities like Ghent, Liège, and Antwerp.

This strike is part of ongoing efforts by meal deliverers to advocate for better working conditions and fair compensation. The couriers have previously requested consultation with Uber but have not received a response. Despite this setback, they remain determined to make their voices heard and push for positive changes in their industry.

The labor court ruling in favor of considering meal deliverers as employees was an important step towards improving working conditions for food delivery workers. However, without proper implementation and enforcement of regulations, it remains uncertain whether this ruling will lead to concrete improvements.

Uber Eats has been criticized by many stakeholders for its treatment of drivers and failure to provide adequate protections such as health insurance and paid leave. The company has also faced legal challenges in various countries over worker classification issues.

As the gig economy continues to grow rapidly around the world, it is essential that governments regulate these platforms to ensure that workers are treated fairly and receive adequate compensation for their work.

In conclusion, the strike action by food deliverers working on the Uber Eats platform highlights the need for better working conditions and fair compensation for gig workers. The fight against exploitation continues as workers demand more protections under existing laws or seek new ones where necessary.