Eight couriers from six different countries will on Sunday depart from Paris to travel to Brussels by bicycle, with the aim of making their voices heard regarding a directive related to the rights of platform workers.
From Sunday 5 to Wednesday 8 November, the eight riders – of British, French, Italian, Spanish, Austrian, and Belgian origin – will ride their bicycles for 400 kilometres from Paris to Brussels as part of the ‘The Great Delivery’ action.
They describe themselves as "uberised", and argue that they are working in precarious conditions, carrying out "increasingly long journeys for increasingly lower incomes, without rights, status, or protection".
"This demonstration originates from the idea that platform workers and other precarious workers should provide visibility and give a clear picture of their working conditions to politicians, who must listen to their demands," Camille Peeters, rider and spokesperson for the Brussels Couriers’ Collective (Collectif des Coursiers Bruxelles) told Brave New Europe.
Couriers not listened to
The couriers intend to arrive in Brussels by 9 November, the next scheduled date for negotiations between the European Parliament and the European Council, mediated by the European Commission, for the EU Platform Work Directive. The workers' aim is to deliver their demands to EU policymakers regarding this directive.
The negotiation’s focus is to discuss the contents of the upcoming directive with which the EU aims to introduce new rules to "improve the working conditions and social rights of people working in the gig economy."
The legislation proposal under discussion seeks to reclassify many individuals currently considered independent contractors as employees. The directive also aims to establish uniform rules across the EU, aiming to reduce the current disparities in platform regulations among the 27 members.
Tweet translation: "From 5 to 9 November, eight delivery drivers from six different countries will cycle 384km from Paris to Brussels. Their aim: to get a seat at the negotiating table on the directive on the "uberisation" of work."
However, the couriers behind the ‘The Great Delivery’ action argue that this directive does not go far enough, and that does not take into account the concerns of workers on the ground. They demand a general presumption of employment without criteria for platform workers, which was included in the EU Parliament’s proposal.
"We also demand that the EU Directive addresses the lack of recognition by platforms of the unions and collectives that truly represent platform workers," Peeters said.
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Their journey will include symbolic stops along the way, including a meeting with French MP, François Ruffin, in Amiens, as well as discussions with other platform workers who are subjected to so-called "uberisation" such as undocumented workers and ride-hail drivers. They will also meet with different workers’ organisations.
Participants also plan to pay tribute in Brussels on Wednesday to Sultan Zadran, a courier who passed away last February while making a delivery in the Belgian capital. A demonstration called "Don’t let Uber make the law" will take place on Thursday in front of the EU Commission building to voice their complaints.
