Following a secret investigation, the Milan public prosecutor’s office determined that the working relationship of couriers employed by various digital platforms (Foodinho, Glovo, Uber Eats, Just Eat, and Deliveroo) cannot be considered casual self-employment but must be reclassified as organized collaboration.
The court gave the companies 90 days to hire 60,000 workers. If they fail to do so, the court will issue an injunction, and legal proceedings will follow.
The companies were also fined €733 million for failing to comply with health and safety regulations.
The investigation also revealed that the workers were managed by a computer platform that ranked couriers based on their performance, obligating them to accept all orders and preventing them from taking vacations or sick leave.
As part of this ruling, the companies were also ordered to pay the couriers their outstanding social security contributions and provide them with adequate equipment, such as bicycles with lights and appropriate clothing.