A group of food delivery riders has filed charges against Grab Philippines with unfair labor practice before the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
The National Union of Food Delivery Riders’s unfair labor complaint surfaced in the wake of rider ban and suspension from Grab Philippines platform allegedly due to their participation in protest action against the company’s fare restructuring program.
The protest took place on 25 October, the same day Grab Philippines implemented changes to its rider earning structure.
According to the group, the changes resulted in a reduction of the base fare for food delivery to P35 from P45 even as the per-kilometer rate was lowered to P7 from P10.
“While NUFDR initially identified nine individuals who faced suspension or banning from the platform following the protest, they claim to have received more than 50 additional complaints from delivery riders who expressed their opposition to the fare restructuring program on various social media platforms, often by liking or sharing related content,” the group added.
“Many delivery riders have voiced their disappointment with Grab Philippines, emphasizing that instead of addressing their concerns, the company resorted to suspensions and bans,” it added
Grab Philippines has yet to issue a statement in response to alleged suspension or banning of its delivery riders although it previously said the changes in structure was meant to ensure that each journey taken is a step towards greater stability of its delivery partners.
Grab said it conducted a two-month pilot program prior to deploying the new earning structure involving select delivery drivers.
It also said the new earning structure offers a guaranteed minimum fare ensuring that every delivery job contributes a fair amount towards a partner’s income.
It added the revamped earnings model introduced critical changes, moving beyond mere distance-based compensation.
pGrab also ensured that its delivery partners on the platform continue to earn substantially above the minimum wage.
