Just Eat to replace 373 couriers with self-employed workers

Just Eat will dismiss 373 couriers in German-speaking Switzerland and switch to self-employed workers, ending their fixed wages and employment protections. The move has prompted protests and strikes, SRF reported.

One of those affected is Willi, a 41-year-old courier who delivers by e-bike in Bern. He currently works fixed hours on an 80 per cent schedule and is paid for waiting time. His job has included a fixed salary regardless of the number of orders and paid holidays. He says the new conditions would make it impossible for him to continue.

Just Eat told SRF that its current shift system cannot respond to changing demand and longer delivery hours, while competitors can. The company said it needed greater flexibility to remain competitive.

The competitor it referred to is Uber Eats, whose couriers work as self-employed contractors without fixed hourly pay or social protection. Switzerland’s Federal Supreme Court has repeatedly ruled that this model is not permitted. So far, the rulings have been enforced only in Geneva and Vaud, where Just Eat will continue to employ its couriers.

Couriers protested in Zurich, St Gallen and Bern, and workers in Zurich went on strike with support from the Syndicom union. David Roth of Syndicom said laws in Switzerland should be followed. Couriers and unions say authorities are not doing enough to enforce the court rulings.

Unia is also supporting the couriers. Leena Schmitter, co-head of the union’s tertiary sector, said bogus self-employment distorts the market and pointed to Vaud as evidence that action is possible.

Asked by SRF about enforcement, Zurich’s cantonal economic affairs office said a patchwork of cantonal rules was not a sensible solution and called for a national approach. Basel-Stadt pointed to inspections and proceedings against Uber, saying it had been working on the issue for a decade.

Basel courier company Velogourmet is closing, with owner Jérôme Thiriet citing unequal conditions. He said services such as Uber Eats do not pay hourly wages or social security contributions and do not have to meet minimum-wage requirements. Because Uber Eats does not pay for waiting time between deliveries, he said, it can offer its service at a lower cost.

It remains unclear how many couriers will continue working under the new conditions.