But what really is wrong when immigrants work for apps like Uber Eats? Apparently, Chris Philp, a British politician serving as Shadow Home Secretary since November 2024, has shamed Uber Eats, alongside its colleagues, Deliveroo and Just Eat, for hiring migrants illegally as workers, allegedly. Here’s the scoop.
Who is Chris Philp?
Philp did no holds barred and took to X, writing there is “clear evidence” that migrants are working illegally for Deliveroo, Just Eat, and Uber Eats in his country. Here’s his official statement on social:
“These illegal immigrants are not allowed to work as delivery drivers while their asylum claim is pending, but when I looked in the bike store in the hotel, I saw delivery bags for Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats on the bikes…
Please can you commit to removing any driver… as a courier who does not have the right to work in the UK, including at this hotel site and elsewhere. I would be grateful if you could set out what further specific steps you will take (above what you currently do, which is evidently not working) in relation to this site and more generally to prevent illegal working…
This is important, as the ability to work illegally is a pull factor for illegal immigration and by allowing this to happen on your platform you are fuelling the illegal immigration crisis.”
Philp is a controversial British politician who has been the country’s Shadow Home Secretary since late last year. Before this position, he held the post of Minister of State for Crime, Policing and Fire from October 2022 to July 2024.
Are his accusations true?
Is Uber Eats really hiring migrants illegally?
Illegal work is rampant across the globe, so if there are migrants illegally providing their services for a company, it’s not just in the arena of food delivery services. The media reports in the United Kingdom would agree.
However, there are little pieces of evidence about whether this is true, looking at Google.
Following those comments from the politician, investigations were held, allegedly finding out that there are illegal migrants “working as fast-food delivery drivers.”
According to The Sun, a popular newspaper, Deliveroo and Just Eat are offering illegal migrants work via social media hiring.
Not only that, but migrants staying in hotels across the country are trying to make ends meet by working for these platforms.
And, there are placement fees, even. The Sun revealed, via undercover reports, that migrants are paying certain individuals a week so they can have their accounts on platforms like Uber Eats.
Aside from that, the investigation uncovered that the migrants are working 15-hour shifts and using random hotels to sleep and store their bikes while they rest.
Ridesharing media also cited an undercover reporter who claimed to be from Afghanistan and had crossed the Channel saying they were “quickly flooded with offers from all over the country.”
There were photographic pieces of evidence revealed by The Sun.
That’s creepy. Do you agree with those accusations? Share your thoughts by creating your account today on this site.