Ceci est une version HTML d'une pièce jointe de la demande d'accès à l'information 'Platform workers and platform lobbyists'.




Ref. Ares(2022)1661590 - 07/03/2022
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Sent: 
vendredi 8 octobre 2021 09:59 
Cc: 
 
 
Subject: 
FW: FLASH REPORT – Meeting between Commissioner SCHMIT and Deliveroo 
CEO & representatives – 07/10/2021 
 
 
 
From: 
  
Sent: Friday, October 8, 2021 9:51 AM 
To: CAB SCHMIT LIST <xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxx.xx.xxxxxx.xx> 
Cc: GELENG Manuela (EMPL) <xxxxxxx.xxxxxx@xx.xxxxxx.xx>; 
 
 
Subject: FLASH REPORT – Meeting between Commissioner SCHMIT and Deliveroo CEO & 
representatives – 07/10/2021 
 
Dear all,  
 
Please find below a flash report on the meeting between Commissioner SCHMIT and Deliveroo 
CEO & representatives, which took place on 7 October.  
 
Best regards, 
 
 
------------------------------------------------- 
 
FLASH REPORT – Meeting between Commissioner SCHMIT and Deliveroo CEO & 
representatives – 07/10/2021 
 
Participants:  
European Commission 
  Nicholas SCHMIT, Commissioner for Jobs & Social Rights 
  Ana Carla PEREIRA, Employment and Social Adviser to Commissioner SCHMIT 
 
 
 
Deliveroo 
  Will SHU, CEO 
  Joe CARBERRY, Director of Corporate Communications 
  Ronan BREE, Head of EU Public Affairs 
 
Main takeaways:  
  Deliveroo`s market is highly competitive and companies are competing 
for the same workforce, thus Deliveroo has three key elements it wants 
to deliver for its drivers: 1) strong earnings 2) security 3) flexibility. 
According to survey conducted by Deliveroo, flexibility is the most 
important element for drivers. In Deliveroo`s own assessment key 

elements, and in particular flexibility, can be best provided by using the 
self-employed model. Deliveroo`s current model is ruled to be genuine 
self-employed model by multiple court rulings. 
  Representatives of Deliveroo emphasised that the company does not 
pose any kind of control over its drivers; they can freely login to the 
platform at any time and in any location, accept or reject orders, work 
for multiple platforms and so on. Most of the drivers work for Deliveroo 
as part-time and Deliveroo claimed drivers` earnings to be higher 
compared to many other sectors, as hours worked are lower than 
compared to e.g. ride-hailing platforms. 
  Many workers from sectors affected by the lockdown measures started 
to work on the Deliveroo`s platform. Even though labour markets are 
booming around Europe, workers are staying at its platform and even 
more is in line to join. Deliveroo looks at this as manifestation of its 
business model`s functioning from drivers` perspective.  
  Deliveroo voiced their concerns regarding a possible rebuttable 
presumption which would cause excess burden as well as high costs for 
all parties involved. Classifying drivers as employees would in the end 
come at cause of flexibility, which in turn would have negative 
consequences for platforms, drivers, restaurant industry, grocery and 
food wholesale markets. A rule on shifting the burden of proof seems 
more of a compromise but would come at high litigation costs. 
  From Deliveroo`s perspective, the main issue is its desire to provide 
more security for drivers (e.g. AWOD insurance, sickness benefits, 
parental benefits) but are struggling to do this without jeopardizing 
drivers being classified as employees. Deliveroo called for a consistent 
way of classifying self-employed within the EU, meaning in a way that 
benefits/security provided by the platform would not be taken into 
account as a factor of employment relationship. This is in line with the 
recent proposal made in France. 
  Commissioner concurred on the importance of flexibility. If a person 
wants to be self-employed and there is no control or subordination 
from platform, there should not be a problem. Commissioner pointed 
out that there is high number of ongoing court cases (though not on 
Deliveroo) despite platform companies reporting workers desire to be 
classified as self-employed, which points that everything is not as it 
should be.  
  Deliveroo said there is always a minority that is unhappy and causing 
these court cases, however Deliveroo bases its business model on 
desires of majority. 
  From the COM point of view, the main aim is to find a balance between 
flexibility and security. This would also provide stability for companies 
to operate without constant threat of litigation. However, rules on level 
of protection provided for self-employed are issues of Member States 
competence, thus also unfortunately varying greatly. 
  Deliveroo acknowledged this but argued once more about the problem 
being that it cannot provide additional security in those countries where 

the security provided by the local system is insufficient, for reason 
articulated before. Deliveroo is having constant debate with national 
and local authorities but called for EU-level approach and actions from 
the COM. 
  Commisioner concluded on that Deliveroo`s perspective of having 
possibility to provide more security without it affecting classification is 
very interesting and it needs to be looked into in more detail and 
analysed. Commissioner emphasised that in the end workers are in the 
heart of initiative.  
  Deliveroo promised to be at available if needed and to provide more 
information on aforementioned surveys and extra security provided to 
drivers.