“time to get wet“. Cargo company with this sentence Stuart sent email to them dealers informed them about the occupational risk prevention measures he was planning to take before the summer vacation. heat wave a main one mobile application you have enabled map of public water resources so the deliverers are the ones who stop along the way. fill the flask and hydrate. In the same message, the company promised bottled water, but union sources consulted explained that for now and in the midst of extreme temperatures, it is providing them with nothing but the practice.
Workers in the package and food delivery industry are among those most exposed to the virus. heat wave. Working outside for hours, high temperatures—lunchtime, meal delivery time—and physical exercise to get around—a significant part of the industry works by bike—work reaches its peak. Continuous exposure to the sun often causes burns and sunstroke. Consulted resources CGT At the Stuart business council in Barcelona, they explain that the company does not provide them with protective cream or clothing specifically designed to cover while sweating. El Periódico de Catalunya from the Prensa Ibérica group tried to contact the company to get their version of events without any response.
While all companies are obliged to take preventive measures to minimize the effects of heat on their employees, some are more ambitious than others. employee fleets balloon Those who greet the service of the supermarket section receive water, clothing suitable for the heat, and stipulated breaks between orders.
As described by consulted Glovo sources and CCOO, executives on the works council have received special training and have a protocol that, when Aemet activates their alerts, doubles their alertness in case of dizziness or any other signs of heatstroke. They also increase the dose of isotonic pills they give to people who give birth. These, when mixed with water, are a highly hydrating beverage to offset the physical exertion of cycling.
just eatFor its part, it claims to have a protocol that includes “measures to take care of people making deliveries in the face of high temperatures.” However, to questions from El Periódico de Catalunya, they refuse to specify whether this translates into breaks, hydration by the company, or occasional breaks.
Self-employed, blind spot in prevention
Thousands of couriers circulate every hour in the main cities of Spain, carrying all kinds of packages. However, in this mix of colorful backpacks, there are ‘classes’ and ‘classes’ in terms of workers’ rights. Much of the industry, highlighted by the withdrawal of companies like Gorilas and Getir, which are in the process of leaving Spain, and the introduction of Uber Eats, “rider law‘ has been in force for about two years and has not been able to run the sector.
“wild west for them“identifies a consulted union resource. While every company must have an occupational risk prevention plan that assesses certain aspects of the activity and minimizes risks to its employees, the self-employed lack all of this coverage. Thousands of Glovo “riders” or Uber EatsFor example, they distribute to these platforms but are not officially affiliated with any employment relationship with “apps”. This fact leaves the search for preventive measures in the hands of the distributors themselves. In other words, digital platforms have no liability if an autonomous ‘driver’ suffers heatstroke during delivery.
“Glovo treats the employees well, the conditions are good,” says a ‘rider’ from a competitor company. This is not the case for self-employed people like Uber, where it assigns orders but assumes no responsibility for the rest. They point out from Glovo that distributors have “a completely free insurance policy that covers them in the event of any incident or accident.” Lack of occupational risk prevention, Paid holidaysscope medical leave in case of work accidents or payment for mobile phone or vehicle: it is the responsibility of the self-employed person. To the self-employed, literally, no water.