Gig resistance - delivery regulations and grass roots initiatives : insights from Spain

Gigmotstånd - regleringar och gräsrotsinnovationer i cykelbudssektorn : insikter från Spanien

The resurgence of cycle couriers in the food delivery sector during the last decade has gone hand in hand with the emergence of the gig-economy. The food delivery sector is characterized by a lack of fair working conditions, which has spawned heavy criticism and increased calls for sector-wide regulation. This report explores one example of regulation introduced in Spain in 2021 and heralded as one of the hitherto most ambitious pieces of legislation brought forward to restructure the gigified delivery sector. The so-called Riders Law (La ley Rider) dictates that all companies operating in the delivery sector in Spain must formally employ their couriers, rendering their previous gig-models illegal. This report examines how the law has been received through the perspectives of central stakeholders, focusing in particular on couriers and platform co-operatives. Through data collected from interviews, this report presents perspectives from these actors which illustrate certain doubts regarding the effectiveness of the law. Findings show that whilst the law has an important symbolic value, it has had a limited effect upon the lopsided power balance in the labor market. Ensuring that companies follow the law has also proven a difficult task. The ability of delivery companies to constantly restructure platform algorithms creates new legal grey zones which further obstruct efforts to regulate the sector.

• Record URL:
  • https://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:vti:diva-19910
• Authors:
  • Göransson Scalzotto, Joel
• Publication Date: 2023

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 19
• Serial:
  • VTI PM
  • Issue Number: 2023:12A
  • Publisher: Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI)

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bicycling; Cyclists; Delivery service; Legislation; Working conditions
• ITRD Terms: 759: Cycling; 1742: Cyclist; 284: Delivery; 1556: Legislation; 2261: Working conditions
• Subject Areas: Pedestrians and Bicyclists; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01921012
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI)
• Files: ITRD, VTI
• Created Date: Jun 10 2024 2:04PM