Despite this legal action against the couriers having seemingly set a precedent for workers rights in the company, the labour tribunal is also currently examing Deliveroo and its employment practices.

What next for Deliveroo?

Belgian MP for Ecolo, Gilles Vanden Burre, has been following the case and explains the situation. ‘The verdict given in March last year wasn’t binding. However, the company is currently being examined by the labour tribunal on this case of work contracts and any final ruling made there would be binding. We are hoping that the tribunal will see that these workers qualify and deserve contracts for their work‘

This case highlights an ongoing battle between the company and its workers in Belgium over work contracts. After many worker campaigns and demonstrations, Deliveroo agreed In Janurary to the proposition of “smart contracts” for its workers which would give rights for sick leave, insurance against injury etc. However, they pulled the deal days before.

Businesses as usual?

‘Deliveroo has stated in the past that they will abide by the rules in Belgium.‘ Gilles says, ‘We hope and really believe that a verdict here in favour of the workers will not scare off the company, as we want to continue working with companies like this in our economy, but not at the expense of the workers or our laws.‘

To continue operating in Belgium, Deliveroo would have to abide by the final verdict given at this tribunal. This is not the first time Deliveroo has had problems in a country, but a definitive ruling in Belgium on contracts could be echoed as a model around Europe as they begin to regulate these new digital business models.

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The ongoing talks between the parties fell through yesterday when the Deliveroo management did not accede to the proposition of smart contracts and instead continued the change of workers’ contracts to self-employed; with the transition beginning on February the 1st of this year. The Deliveroo management has since abandoned negotiations, giving a take it or leave it ultimatum on the contracts.

« Since the decision, the minister of employment, Kris Peeters, has said he will meet with the vice president of Deliveroo in Davos to discuss the matter, » says Martin Willems, permanent secretary of the Centrale Nationale des Employés (CNE). « He affirms his support for the couriers, then meets the vice president of Deliveroo in Davos and condemns the strike actions; one wonders his position on the matter. Will Deliveroo’s move guarantee the disappearance of employment contracts, even for service jobs? »

Workers of the company claim that the contractual conditions brought forward by Deliveroo are damaging to their worker’s rights. As once self-employed, Deliveroo will no longer have to pay for the administration of workers’ tax, and workers will not get the security nor the same insurance and pension benefits of employment.

Bertrand Wert, Ixelles Councillor from the Ecolo Party, worries this could set a precedent for the future of this field of employment and calls for a suitable resolution to the issue.

This issue of companies maneuvering workers contracts has been raised amongst similar services like Uber and has created ongoing debate in other cities around Europe; with London even going as far as banning Uber from working within the city.

The couriers will have strike actions this Saturday, 6:00 pm, The focus is to raise public awareness of the situation.

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