Food delivery riders file labor complaint vs. Grab

A group of delivery riders has initiated legal action against Grab Philippines over alleged unfair labor practices.

The National Union of Food Delivery Riders (NUFDR) filed a complaint before the Department of Labor and Employment following reports of several Grab Food delivery riders allegedly being suspended or banned from the platform due to their participation in a protest against the company's fare restructuring program.

The group said Grab had implemented changes to its fare structure, which resulted in a reduction of the base fare for food delivery, dropping from P45 to P35 while the per-kilometer rate was lowered from P10 to P7.

"Many delivery riders have voiced their disappointment with Grab Philippines, emphasizing that instead of addressing their concerns, the company resorted to suspensions and bans,'' the NUFDR said in a press release.

The NUFDR said it had received more than 50 additional complaints from delivery riders who expressed their opposition to the fare restructuring program on various social media platforms.

GMA News Online has reached out to Grab for comment, but it has yet to reply as of posting time.

Last month, Grab said the new earnings structure for its delivery partners factored in the totality of effort exerted, including compensation for longer wait times at merchant outlets and adjusted fares for long pick-up distances.

It also introduced a guaranteed minimum fare ''to ensure that every delivery job, no matter how small, contributes a fair amount towards a partner’s income.''

''Additionally, Grab is fully committed to ensuring that its delivery partners on the platform continue to earn substantially above the minimum wage,'' Grab said.

Grab also said it continues to offer a range of incentives, rewards, and benefits.

''These programs are designed to complement direct earnings, contributing to a comprehensive financial support system for partners,'' it said. —VBL, GMA Integrated News