After a number of Deliveroo riders protested about a new per-delivery payment scheme now being trialled in London, the company has emphasised that riders can choose either to stick with the fee model or opt in to trial the new system.
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Active in 12 countries across Europe, Asia and the Middle East, Deliveroo tested a system in five areas in London last week where riders received 3.75 pounds per delivery rather than the current 7 pounds per hour plus one pound per delivery.
British startup Deliveroo, which attracted £212 million from investors during its most recent funding round, sends out food from thousands of restaurants which don’t have their own delivery service, charging them £2.50 a pop.
Shadow business secretary Jon Trickett attacked the firm’s reported plans and backed the staff in their protest.
Some decided not to work and have taken to London’s streets in convoys to draw attention to their demands.
The Labour frontbencher added: “Flexible working may suit some workers who have domestic or other commitments, but it should not be used as an excuse by employers to cut costs and increase employees’ insecurity”.
‘After all, rent, fuel bills and food costs don’t vary week to week so nor should incomes purely to suit the employer’.
“Labour will take action in government to end exploitative employment practices”.
In a blog posted on its website on Friday (12 August), Deliveroo said that this will mean that riders can maximise their earnings during the peak times. Need a complete rethink of the “sharing economy'”.
A fierce battle is under way in the United Kingdom takeaway delivery market, with companies including Just Eat, Hungry House and Uber Eats vying for customers.
Deliveroo’s UK & Ireland managing director Dan Warne said: “We want to be clear that this is a trial happening in certain parts of London”.
Deliveroo has said that the new pay deal, now being trialled in parts of London, would benefit their employees. We’ve listened to their concerns and offered every rider the choice to withdraw from the trail.
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In an effort to get Deliveroo to rethink its new payment plan, around 50 uniformed riders gathered outside Deliveroo’s head office near London’s Tottenham Court Road on Thursday with megaphones and signs that read “Slaveroo”.
