Uber Eats, such as their division in Spain, has been hiring drivers as independent contractors, or self-employed people. It isn’t the perfect category for these individuals, and the battle towards revoking this tag continues. However, in this western European country, things are seemingly only getting worse.
The food delivery app announced recently that it “will stop collaborating with self-employed delivery drivers” after four years.
But, with Uber Eats Spain deciding to “outsource” drivers, isn’t that just the same as hiring self-employed individuals? In the professional world, some businesses decide to outsource workers as their self-employed staff.
Ridesharing media were told, "Uber Eats reaffirms its commitment to compliance with the law… After four years of gaining experience working with logistics experts, and to foster a sustainable long-term model, we have decided to discontinue our partnership with independent delivery drivers.”
However, Uber Eats is clarifying that drivers could still use the Uber Eats app as independent contractors, and could continue working with the company.
This controversial decision came after Spain’s Ministry of Labor threatened parties with criminal charges for non-compliance with regulations, resulting in Uber Eats changing its business and operating model.
For the regulatory bodies, it is their way to ensure that no drivers are deprived of their rights. Last month, the Catalan authorities ordered the investigation whether Uber was committing crime against its drivers. For so long, Uber is offering an environment for drivers to work according to a time that suits them best.
“We express our commitment to fulfilling our obligations, as well as our intention to end all pending litigation, and we are available to drivers, unions, and the government to guarantee a fair process for everyone,” Uber Eats insiders told Ridesharing Forum.
One of Spain’s ministers, Yolanda Díaz expressed her satisfaction with this new policy. She stated that this proves that legislation works effectively.
"I can only express my satisfaction because [it is excellent news,] and it proves that legislation works. No company, however large, can operate outside the law, and right now, the major distribution companies and [the Uber Eats decision] will bring to light more than 50,000 people who were falsely classified as self-employed in Spain,” Díaz revealed. "I said, many years ago, that a worker with an app and a bicycle is not an entrepreneur.”
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