Challenges and Realities of Deliveroo Riders in the UK and Ireland
Deliveroo riders in the UK and Ireland number about 73,000, with the majority identifying as migrants. They typically work long hours, with weekly earnings varying by transport mode: approximately £300 on bicycles and about £450 on mopeds, though expenses such as insurance and fuel reduce net income. Some days yield very low pay, with a good day bringing in only £50 to £60.
Riders face significant safety and harassment hazards. Female riders, in particular, have reported exposure to customers and physical attacks. A Brazilian female rider network of around 800 members has formed to share safety advice. There is a prevailing sense of dehumanization among riders, who describe feeling invisible and controlled more by delivery apps than by in-person managers.
A tension exists between riders' legal work status and immigration controls. Many rely on visas or residency that restrict employment options, even as government crackdowns focus on illegal employment. UK courts have influenced rider classification: while Uber drivers were recognized as workers in 2021, delivery riders were deemed self-employed in 2023 due to a substitution clause.
Unions and platforms offer contrasting views. The GMB union has a voluntary agreement with Deliveroo to pay at least the national minimum wage plus time on orders. Meanwhile, platforms claim to have implemented improvements and protections such as insurance, sickness cover, and parental support, stating that most riders are satisfied. Just Eat and Uber Eats highlight safety features and flexible work arrangements, asserting that pay exceeds the living wage on average.
Academic research from Birmingham University, led by Prof Nando Sigona, frames the sector as a migration-governance tool that masks exploitation through flexibility, digital surveillance, and immigration enforcement. This work calls for urgent policy reform to address these challenges.
