A new study from Georgetown University’s Katie Wells shows a disregard for delivery drivers’ safety, unjust working conditions, confusing and unpredictable wage structures, and, at times, unpaid work.
The report, “The Instant Delivery Workplace in D.C.,” highlights how the workforce is mostly made up of people of color, and a significant portion is immigrants.
The flexibility offered by these delivery companies is a major draw for laborers—46 percent of workers in the study said “they plan to continue with instant delivery work for at least six more months” and “would recommend the job to a friend,” the report says.But their status as “independent contractors” means workers are responsible for the cost of equipment—cars, gas, and insurance—as well as any other job-related expenses.
51 percent of the workers interviewed said they have felt unsafe or feared for their physical well-being on the job.
Read on: in English