Glovo preps The Couriers Pledge global roll-out
On-demand delivery venture, Glovo, has announced a commitment to increase the social rights and benefits available to couriers.
This closely follows protests over Gorillas’ treatment of delivery riders and warehouse workers, fuelling criticism of Chief Executive Kağan Sümer.
The Couriers Pledge, which has been created with advice from the Fairwork project, establishes a new set of standards that includes fair hourly earnings (guided by WageIndicator’s data on fair earnings and living wages), improvements to insurance coverage and access to training, safety and maintenance provisions.
Glovo intends to roll-out the initiative to 40% of its fleet by the end of June 2022, with Morocco and Georgia to be the first countries included in the initial phase.
The plan is to implement The Couriers Pledge in all the countries in which it operates by the end of 2023.
Sacha Michaud, Glovo Co-founder, says: “While the gig economy has opened up new opportunities, it’s fair to say that it has its challenges and that it’s in need of improvements, especially where social rights for couriers are concerned.”
“We have always been in favour of providing our couriers with access to greater social rights, no matter their contractual relationship.”
“By 2023 we expect to be collaborating with around 240,000 couriers on a monthly basis worldwide and we are committed to providing them with better social rights and benefits while also protecting the autonomy and flexibility they value.”
“As a company, we feel this initiative sets a new industry standard for a fairer gig economy — one that has social rights and uses a best practice framework at its core.”
Professor Mark Graham, Fairwork Director, comments: “The current state of the platform economy means most gig workers lack basic labour rights and protections. Workers suffer from dangerous conditions, low and inconsistent earnings, and barriers to the collective organisation.”
“Glovo, as one of the largest companies in the platform economy, could become an example of fair practices in the sector if they commit to implementing comprehensive policies that improve the conditions of their workers.”
“Fairwork does not endorse companies but provides independent assessments of their policies and practices. From that position, we welcome Glovo’s invitation to provide an independent evaluation of their new Couriers Pledge and look forward to testing their implementation on the ground against our principles of fair work.”
In addition to Fairwork, Glovo has paired with WageIndicator.org regarding the living wage per country, and Qover and Chubb’s insurtech shield for insurance coverage.
