Approximately 150 Lieferando delivery workers took to the streets in protest against alleged termination of employment - Delivery drivers employed by Lieferando stage a protest against planned termination of their services
Lieferando Job Cuts Spark Protests and Union Action
Lieferando, a popular food delivery service, has announced plans to lay off approximately 2,000 drivers nationwide, with over 500 drivers in Hamburg expected to be affected. This decision has led to a wave of protests and a 36-hour strike, organised by the NGG (Gewerkschaft Nahrung-Genuss-Gaststätten) union.
On August 8, 2025, around 150 drivers from Lieferando demonstrated in Hamburg against the job cuts, led by Vincent Orth of the NGG. The union is critical of Lieferando for undermining worker representation and replacing employees with subcontracted drivers on less favourable terms.
The NGG also raises concerns about the planned removal of 'order bonuses', a source of income for drivers, which Lieferando claims is being done under road safety justifications. This change is set to reduce driver earnings from August onwards.
Lieferando, a subsidiary of the Dutch company Just Eat Takeaway, based in Amsterdam, has stated that there will be no restrictions on deliveries during the protest. However, the company maintains that only about 5% of its drivers are union members.
The NGG is pushing for a legally binding collective agreement on wages and working conditions, which Lieferando has so far resisted. The union alleges that Lieferando wants to eliminate works councils, a claim the company has not confirmed.
The changes are scheduled to be implemented by the first quarter of next year, with Lieferando aiming to fully outsource its delivery business to subcontractors. The union fears that this shift will worsen working conditions and undermine workers' rights.
In summary, the protests led by the NGG in Hamburg are a significant response to the announced job cuts and the shift to subcontracting by Lieferando, with concerns about deteriorating conditions and the weakening of worker representation. The union is advocating for a legally binding agreement on wages and working conditions to protect the rights of delivery drivers.
[1] Hamburger Abendblatt [2] Handelsblatt [3] Deutschlandfunk [4] FAZ [5] Wirtschaftswoche
- The NGG union is urging Lieferando to reconsider its decision to eliminate works councils and establish a collective agreement on employment policies that cover wages, working conditions, and the rights of all drivers, as this change could adversely impact the community in the food delivery industry.
- The ongoing disputes between Lieferando and the NGG union have raised questions about the safety and fairness of the company's employment policies in the finance and business sectors, particularly concerning the removal of order bonuses and the potential increase in reliance on subcontracted workers.
