UK: Undocumented migrants renting food delivery accounts as "substitutes" for gig platforms describe low wages, physical abuse, injuries & insecure work; incl. comments from Deliveroo & Uber Eats
Summary
Date Reported: 3 May 2023
Location: United Kingdom
Companies
Deliveroo - EmployerAffected
Total individuals affected: Number unknown
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( Number unknown - Location unknown , Express delivery , Gender not reported )Issues
Poverty Wages , Precarious/Unsuitable Living Conditions , Occupational Health & Safety , Mental Health , Injuries , Illness , Reasonable Working Hours & Leisure Time , Denial of leaveResponse
Response sought: Yes, by The Conversation
External link to response: (Find out more)
Action taken: Deliveroo stressed that it is constantly working to improve oversight of its riders, including by introducing new technology and working collaboratively with the relevant authorities. Further, Deliveroo makes clear on its websites that all couriers must be able to prove their right to work in the UK, including as a substitute rider. When approached for comment about the issues raised in this article, the company stressed that this policy is strictly enforced at all times. It added that it conducts regular sweeps of its riders to search for any indication of suspicious or illegal activity, and is rolling out new identity verification technology to further strengthen its system of ID checks. Further, Deliveroo also stressed that it does not have strict delivery deadlines and that riders are encouraged to adhere to road safety rules.
Source type: News outlet
Summary
Date Reported: 3 May 2023
Location: United Kingdom
Companies
Uber Eats - ClientAffected
Total individuals affected: Number unknown
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( Number unknown - Location unknown , Express delivery , Gender not reported )Issues
Poverty Wages , Precarious/Unsuitable Living Conditions , Occupational Health & Safety , Mental Health , Injuries , Illness , Reasonable Working Hours & Leisure Time , Denial of leaveResponse
Response sought: Yes, by The Conversation
External link to response: (Find out more)
Action taken: Uber Eats makes clear on its websites that all couriers must be able to prove their right to work in the UK, including as a substitute rider. When approached for comment about the issues raised in this article, the company stressed that this policy is strictly enforced at all times. Uber Eats stated that it takes immediate steps to deactivate an account if any breach is found to have taken place, and that it carries out regular identity verification on account holders to ensure that the owner retains control of their account. The company also Uber stressed that it does not have strict delivery deadlines, and that riders are encouraged to adhere to the rules of the road at all times.
Source type: News outlet
...
During 2021 and 2022, we got to know seven undocumented migrants who worked as food delivery riders by renting accounts from other riders. We also interviewed 25 documented account holders, of whom three rented their accounts to undocumented...
The undocumented couriers we spoke to typically said they struggled to make enough money to pay off their debts and support their families, despite often working seven days a week…
Some couriers also described receiving abuse from other riders on social media – for example, in response to their posts looking for accounts to rent. The documented couriers regard this activity as harming their prospects of securing decent pay and working hours...
The insecure and informal nature of this work results in hyper-precarious lives…
Deliveroo stressed that it operates a zero-tolerance policy towards riders who fail to meet their obligations when they appoint another person to complete orders. It added that it conducts regular sweeps of its riders to search for any indication of suspicious or illegal activity, and is rolling out new identity verification technology to further strengthen its system of ID checks…
Uber Eats stated that it takes immediate steps to deactivate an account if any breach is found to have taken place, and that it carries out regular identity verification on account holders to ensure that the owner retains control of their account…