Brussels' labour court has ruled in favour of couriers for popular food delivery platform, Deliveroo, declaring them employees rather than independent contractors, reports the Belgian Transport Union (UBT-FGTB).
The decision allows delivery workers involved in the case to claim unpaid wages for the period in question, as well as employee benefits. The National Social Security Office (ONSS), which also contested against Deliveroo, can now demand the company to pay additional social contributions for these workers for the relevant period.
Around 30 Deliveroo couriers had challenged the company in Brussels' labour court. With support from several unions and backing from the ONSS, they argued that their work was more akin to employment rather than self-employment – a status they had held while working with Deliveroo for many years. The labour auditorate, which conducted an extensive social investigation involving around 100 couriers, shared their view.
The Brussels labour court had previously ruled in December 2021 that the couriers' work was that of independent contractors. However, this judgement was overturned on Friday.
