Food delivery apps may be forced to employ gig workers in Spain

A Glovo delivery worker rides in Barcelona. A ‘Riders' Law’ bill that has yet to be presented in its final form aims to regulate the jobs of riders who are considered self-employed, but unions and critics say it will take away flexibility and will not protect workers from precarious conditions. — AFP

The Spanish government is preparing strict labour law changes that could mean food-delivery platforms have to formally employ the couriers they rely on.

Under rules expected to be proposed as soon as this week, companies such as Uber Eats, Deliveroo and Barcelona-based Glovo may be forced to offer wages, social security and unemployment benefits to 30,000 platform couriers working in the euro area’s fourth-largest economy, a labor ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday.