Freelance PostNL delivery staff campaign for better pay

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2 ... etter-pay/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Freelance delivery workers for PostNL are campaigning for better pay and conditions, broadcaster Nos says on Monday.

Although technically freelancers, the delivery workers are not allowed to work for other companies and have to wear a PostNL jacket while on duty. The jackets have to be bought from PostNL for €80.

One worker, Selcuk Dag, says he is paid €1.25 euro per ‘stop’ and 16 cents for every parcel he delivers. His colleague Mehmet Hafikli gets less because he works in a different area. ‘We only earn this if we make a delivery,’ Dag said.

The fees are decided by PostNL and there is no room for negotiation. Maurice Jacobs of delivery workers’ union SubcoPartners says the parcel delivery market should be regulated because employers are breaking agreements.

‘Officially delivery workers are freelancers but they are effectively PostNL employees,’ he said. ‘They have an agreement which states they cannot work for other firms.’ Of the 6,000 parcel delivery staff in the Netherlands, some 75% are freelancers.