NLRC Rules in Favor of Foodpanda Riders

In a complaint filed by the Davao United Delivery Riders Association Inc. (DUDRAI) with the  8th Division of the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) and affirmed last December 7, 2022, their June 2022 ruling which stated that illegally dismissed delivery riders of Foodpanda Philippines were considered regular employees.

Foodpanda Philippines has mentioned in a statement that it had filed an appeal with the NLRC.

The NLRC decision asserted that an employer-employee relationship had existed between the couriers and Foodpanda. This employer-employee relationship, entails livable wages, benefits, and also tenure.

DUDRAI mentioned that Foodpanda Philippines took control over these contract workers by barring them from looking for additional work, “algorithmic disciplinary measures indicate strict supervision and control over its delivery riders.”, and supervision throughout work shifts.

DUDRAI was one of the complainants in the case against Foodpanda.

The complaints are from delivery riders of Foodpanda before they were prevented from accessing the rider application of the company. These riders asked for transparency on how pay was calculated as well as deductions.

The affected parties filed a case of illegal dismissal. Foodpanda claimed there was no employer-employee relationship since the riders were hired as independent contractors.

Sonny Africa of IBON Foundation has mentioned that the decision shed light on the digital technologies and exploitation of workers.

“The glorification of gig economy or platform workers as ‘independent contractors’ or ‘freelancers’ has always really been just a smokescreen for technology-driven flexibilization of workers,” mentioned Africa.

With the NLRC ruling, Foodpanda was held liable for illegally terminating the employment of the complainants.

Source: Philstar