Glovo, a multi-category app in Africa, on Monday launched “The Couriers Pledge” in Nigeria, a commitment set by the company to increase the social rights and benefits available to couriers, regardless of employment or work status with the company.
The Challenge
The gig economy is significantly impacting the way Nigerians live and work. Ride-hailing and package delivery platforms have eased logistics, both for people moving around and for transporting goods to various locations.
But despite these positive impacts of the gig economy, there remain significant issues in the treatment of workers, specifically couriers.
The pandemic heightened the adoption of this type of work, given that it transcended location-based gig work and public demand for the delivery economy gained importance.
Yet, the Nigerian job market is still very much an employer’s market for gig workers, especially as they are not classified as employees, but rather independent contractors, and are therefore excluded from the protections of the country’s labour laws.
The Opportunity
The company recognises that the gig economy represents a significant source of income for couriers and wants to provide equality of access to social rights and benefits for couriers, independent of the way couriers work with the platform.
Here comes Glovo “Couriers Pledge”
In line with its commitment to increase the social rights and benefits available to couriers in the country, global multicategory platform, Glovo, launched the Couriers Pledge in Nigeria.
The Couriers Pledge initiative first introduced in 2021, has already positively impacted over 40,000 couriers in various countries across the globe where Glovo operates.
With the launch of the program in Nigeria, the Courier’s pledge is now being implemented in all African countries where Glovo operates. Glovo’s commitment under The Couriers Pledge includes:
- Fairer Earnings: Guaranteeing proper and transparent hourly earnings aligned with regional living wages and daily expenses.
- 360º Safety: Providing assistance for accidents, third-party liability, transportation of goods, sickness, maternity and paternity extra payment, and urgent Family Expense benefits.
- Proactive Management: Establishing a fair appeals process for couriers and facilitating open dialogue with couriers.
- Caring for Couriers Community: Offering training courses to enhance couriers’ professional skills, implementing an in-app SOS button for emergencies, and introducing an anti-discrimination policy.
Lamide Akinola, General Manager for Glovo Nigeria, expressed her pride in achieving this milestone, stating, “We believe that couriers deserve equal access to social rights and benefits, regardless of their contractual relationship with the platform. The successful launch of The Couriers Pledge in Nigeria represents a significant step towards creating a fairer working environment for our couriers in the region. We are proud to have all African markets covered under this initiative.”
At the launch, couriers in attendance received comprehensive safety training conducted by the Lagos State Drivers Institute (LASDRI). In addition, Glovo partnered with NEM Insurance to provide health check-ups for couriers, promoting their well-being and access to essential healthcare services.
Also speaking on the launch of the Courier’s Pledge in Nigeria, Mrs Bolanle Tiamiyu, General Manager of the Lagos State Drivers Institute (LASDRI), commended Glovo for its commitment to enhancing the rights and benefits for couriers who play a critical role in the local service delivery ecosystem. She also emphasized the importance of such initiatives in ensuring the well-being of couriers and the broader community. She said, “Glovo’s focus on safety and training is commendable, and it sets a positive example for the industry. Providing couriers with essential skills and knowledge is crucial for ensuring safer roads and better services.”
Glovo collaborated closely with the Fairwork Foundation, following principles and data on fair earnings and living wages, to develop The Couriers Pledge.
This initiative aims to set a new industry standard for fair working conditions in the gig economy.
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