The Catalan government has opened an investigation into Glovo, Uber Eats and Amazon to determine whether their delivery riders were required to work during recent weather alerts, including the torrential rains recorded in early October.
According to information reported by Catalunya Ràdio and confirmed by sources at the Catalan Department of Business and Labour, the companies have received a request for details of their prevention protocols during severe weather. The Catalan Labour Inspectorate has set a deadline in November for the platforms to provide the documentation.
Catalan president Salvador Illa said the investigation was launched on the authorities’ own initiative and that a possible sanction would be assessed after the information is reviewed. He said companies must protect their workers during extreme weather events and adapt workplace practices to climate change.
Illa also cited supermarket chains that brought forward their closing time during recent heavy rainfall to prevent employees from being exposed to unnecessary risks.
Before the government investigation became known, CCOO had filed a complaint with the Barcelona Labour Inspectorate against Uber Eats and its subcontractors. The union alleged that riders continued working on October 6 during a period of heavy rain and red and orange weather alerts. It said workers travelling by motorcycle, bicycle or on foot faced intense rainfall, dangerous roads, reduced grip, poor visibility and accident risks.
In Bizkaia, CCOO filed another complaint in late October against Glovo and its subcontractor Fliits. The union alleged that riders remained on public roads on October 3 while orange and red alerts were in force because of adverse weather.
The Labour Inspectorate had also opened a sanctioning procedure against Glovo after the company continued its delivery service during a heatwave in Barcelona over the summer.
Sources: elDiario.es.