Success for Deliveroo Riders in the Netherlands as Strike Action Forces Investigation

Summary

After several weeks of strike action, Deliveroo workers in the Netherlands have something to celebrate. The Dutch government has launched a full-scale investigation in to one of the dark sides of the gig economy – the strategy of employing workers on bogus self-employment contracts despite working full time for a company like Uber or Deliveroo.  The investigation comes after Deliveroo’s move to replace all employees on legitimate contracts with “self-employed” workers.

Until now, the Dutch government had been passive, but this action has spurred an examination of the gig economy’s labour conduct. Where applicable, it will enforce the law in the case of bogus self-employment. UNI affiliate FNV is convinced that Deliveroo will not pass the test and be forced to reinstate adequate labour contracts with social insurance, paid leave, pensions, and health/accident insurance.