Epochal breakthrough in the protection of one of the most precarious and underpaid categories of the contemporary labor market, the so-called "riders" of the various food delivery apps which have become so popular especially in times of pandemic. The category of workers, often foreigners forced to work exhausting shifts for negligible pay, is not yet recognized as an employee, but begins to have the first protections through the first national collective agreement. The agreement signed by Assodelivery (the association that represents groups in the sector, from Deliveroo to Glovo, from Just Eat to Uber Eats) and the Ugl union was decisive: the riders remain self-employed but will have a minimum compensation of 10 euros per hour and an allowance of between 10 and 20% for night work, public holidays and bad weather. Not only that: the weak link of the so-called gig economy, the app economy, is also recognized with an incentive of 7 euros per hour for the first 4 months, in case of opening in a new city.
And even a one-off performance bonus of 600 euros for every 2 deliveries made. The agreement is the first of its kind in Europe and puts an end to an injustice towards the thousands of people (often young) who, during the lockdown but already much earlier, roamed the streets of Italian cities to deliver hot food as quickly as possible and with all the risks involved on customer tables. Definitely a good first step towards fuller protection, which is what the big unions like CGIL, CISL and UIL are calling for, who would like to classify these workers as real employees, complete with sick leave and paid holidays. Meanwhile, the riders receive greater attention even in the performance of their work: the Assodelivery and Ugl agreement also provides for free training and the supply of safety material, such as high-visibility jackets and helmets.
“For the first time – commented Matteo Sarzana, President of Assodelivery – collective bargaining reaches the world of self-employment by introducing minimum wages, supplementary allowances, incentives, bonus systems, safety equipment, insurance, training and many other rights, while maintaining at the same time the flexibility and premiality that workers in the sector are looking for. It's about a fundamental step for the development of food delivery, which will allow riders to continue working according to their needs, companies to commit themselves to the sustainable growth of the sector and partner businesses to seize the growing opportunities related to delivery, especially in a complex moment like the one we are experiencing". Sarzana also added that "the contract is open to membership by other unions and other companies that are not part of Assodelivery".
“It has been a long journey full of challenges – he said instead Paolo Capone, General Secretary Ugl – in which the union has invested and which has allowed us to regulate, together with AssoDelivery, the work of riders in the food delivery sector. Italian riders finally have greater protection through the recently signed CCNL Rider, a first example of how to regulate the changing work. From today we look at many other categories that are not yet reached by bargaining in Italy and in Europe. In this sense the on demand economy has created new opportunities and ways of working in various industries, for which new types of workers need a contract such as what we signed today”.
