Risks for South Africa’s migrant food couriers surge during the pandemic

Two former Uber Eats drivers pose for a photo with their crutches after both being in accidents while delivering for the app in Johannesburg, South Africa. — Thomson Reuters Foundation

JOHANNESBURG/BERLIN: More than a year after Malawian driver Matthew was hit by a car while delivering food on his motorbike in South Africa, he lives with a shooting pain in his foot and fears for his life every time he hits the road.

His injuries, including a broken toe and various cuts, left him unable to work for a month, but the company he was riding for – Uber Eats – told him he did not qualify for compensation as he was in hospital for less than 48 hours.