Decision by the Labour Council – food couriers are employees
Photo: Getty Images
Food couriers are not self-employed persons; they are in an employment relationship. This was the decision announced today by the Labour Council in an opinion requested by the Regional State Administrative Agency.
The decision means that companies operating in the food courier business should treat their couriers as employees and thus comply with all the obligations of an employer. PAM’s President Annika Rönni-Sällinen considers the Labour Council’s opinion highly significant.
“The Labour Council’s decision means that in future food couriers can get the same rights as other employees. This means that for couriers employers must comply with the Working Hours Act and occupational safety rules, among other things”, says Rönni-Sällinen.
Today’s opinion by the Labour Council is not a final ruling, but Rönni-Sällinen is nonetheless happy with the decision. She thinks that there can finally be improvements in the position of food services workers.
“The Labour Council’s decision is a pointer to how the status of food couriers will be seen going forward and how the authorities and others should see them. I now look forward to operators in the sector endorsing the Labour Council’s decision and making employment contracts with their couriers”, stresses Rönni-Sällinen.
PAM has played its part in couriers being considered as workers in an employment relationship and getting fair working conditions. The biggest companies in the sector are Foodora and Wolt.