Last week, in one of Amsterdam’s historic squares, Deliveroo drivers gathered to broadcast their message to the world. Their demands were not far-fetched, but fundamental: insurance, benefits, certainty and fair compensation.
But their movement is not only about Netherlands, nor only about the company Deliveroo.
It’s a world-wide problem. Applications and companies like Uber, Deliveroo and Airbnb have redefined labor rules and environment. They often treat their workers as independent contractors, make them use their own cars, bicycles and homes and fight hard to avoid employer responsibilities.
Even worse, they push to restrict workers’ rights, sometimes with governments’ support — even as they reap enormous profit but with minimal worker payout. It’s classic capitalism, then: on one side, workers with next-to-zero rights; and on the other, the accumulation of capital and power.
At DiEM25, we believe in workers’ rights. We fight against the unequal accumulation of wealth by platform executives, and against those who prefer to see workers as slaves, not humans. Our Progressive Agenda for Europe sets out our vision for a fair labour market where all can thrive. Join us here and contribute in shaping our common labor pillar!
Aris is a member and volunteer of the DiEM25 movement.
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