Deliveroo drivers in Dublin went on strike yesterday evening to address concerns at work
DUBLIN: Deliveroo drivers in Dublin went on strike yesterday evening to address their concerns over pay and working conditions. Some delivery drivers stopped services from 6pm and announced their protest on social media.
Working conditions, security and delivery charges are the main concerns of the online food delivery company riders. In addition, the group says Garda needs to take it seriously when the bikes of the drivers are stolen and when they are attacked or abused.
One of the organisers wrote in a Facebook post that this protest is the first step they’re taking to improve things and that they’re counting on everyone’s support.
Louise O’Reilly, Sinn Féin spokesperson on Enterprise, Trade and Employment, announced his support on Twitter ahead of yesterday’s protest.
Labour’s employment spokesperson Marie Sherlock also expressed solidarity with the company’s workers. “In Ireland, platforms like Deliveroo can employ their workers as self-employed persons, and therefore don’t have to assume the responsibility of their health and safety or pay PRSI. I am calling on Dublin Deliveroo users to avoid ordering this evening in solidarity with these workers,” she said.
Launched in Ireland in 2015, Deliveroo made its debut in London in 2013. It currently operates with more than a thousand self-employed drivers and over 1,800 restaurants across Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway.
Delivery riders are considered self-employed individual contractors so they do not receive guaranteed time and full rights. However, a Deliveroo spokesperson said that riders’ wages are higher than before the COVID-19 Pandemic.
“On average, riders earn above the national minimum wage and on average earn €13 per hour at mealtimes, including any additional tips they may receive, of which they keep 100%. Following feedback from riders, we have introduced distance-based fees – this fee structure pays riders more for medium and long distance deliveries. The majority of fees have increased,” the spokesperson said.
The company said the safety of its riders was paramount and planned to introduce free personal safety alarms that could be used by all riders in Ireland for emergencies.”We also work closely with the police and authorities to help protect riders and resolve any security issues they face, such as theft. In the case of an accident or assault, we provide market leading global insurance free of charge to all riders,” it added.
At the same time, Fine Gael Senator Mary Seery-Kearney commented that it was clear from their protest yesterday that drivers were not happy with the working conditions provided by the delivery app. “They are frontline workers, so I think it’s appalling that they have to take risks with their own health and safety in order to earn their few bob, which is very very hard-earned,” said Seery-Kearney.
“I have huge respect for their value to our economy, huge respect for the role that they’re playing, particularly now. There is no reason why they couldn’t still work flexible hours, within the law, and at least be guaranteed a minimum take-home wage,” she added.
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