Looking to further upgrade its services, Foodpanda has launched its initial batch of riders who will be using electric kick scooters in Makati and Bonifacio Global City (BGC) even as it also assured that the vehicles to be used had passed the city governments’ safety standards.
FOOD delivery service Foodpanda has launched its initial batch of riders who will be using electric kick scooters in Makati and Bonifacio Global City (BGC).
The 25 riders are on a pilot project aimed at the growing community of electric vehicle users in the country and providing livelihood.
Their deliveries, however, are limited to within two kilometers.
“With the growing community of e-scooter riders who see it as a convenient way of getting around, we are opening this opportunity for them to have a source of income that will cover short-distance deliveries,” Foodpanda managing director Daniel Marogy said.
However, customers have been wary of Foodpanda since July when the company came under fire after allegedly suspending Davao City riders who were protesting unfair labor practices.
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has assured the riders that the agency will look into the situation and identify the real situation.
The riders have complained that beginning November 2019, the company reduced their earnings by more than half.
“We are not asking for anything more than what we deserve. But we must know how the computation is done,” said Glen Costan, spokesperson of the Davao United Delivery Riders Association Inc.
In response, protesting riders were suspended for 10 years. In a statement, Foodpanda said the riders broke their agreement with the company “by calling for disruptions that may affect the wider ecosystem (other riders, vendors, and customers).”
The company also said that they have hired new riders and rehired those who still wish to stay as rider partners.
Earlier, Foodpanda also deployed bicycle riders into its delivery team.
All riders go through a screening process and are provided one thermal bag, two sets of uniforms, a helmet, LED lights, and a GCash card.
Foodpanda assured that the bicycles and e-kick scooters that passed the city governments’ safety standards will be used by their riders.
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