64 delivery partners have died and this is what they ask for

Labor rights: the forgotten of the apps

One of the main requests is that the delivery men stop being considered “partners” and be recognized as “workers”. This change would guarantee health insurance, law benefits and a base salary.

Although in November of last year senators from the PRD, Morena and Movimiento Ciudadano promised to work within a legal framework, there has been no progress regarding the labor rights of delivery people.

I call for legislation in favor of delivery people on digital platforms. Their work, which has been essential in this pandemic, must be dignified and guaranteed medical insurance, benefits and base salary.

– Miguel Ángel Mancera (@ManceraMiguelMX)

“It is not a simple backpack. They are hopes, dreams, illusions and a family that is waiting for us”, says Ángel. One of the main concerns is that delivery people do not have full and accessible insurance to protect them in the event of an accident or loss.

On the platform, all deliveries have coverage that is active from the time the delivery partner accepts an order through the app and up to 45 minutes after delivery. This covers civil liability for damages to third parties, personal accidents or legal assistance.

In the case of , all partners have Axa coverage as long as they are carrying out the order and it covers “civil liability for damages to third parties” and “personal accidents”.

But Ángel mentions that the processes to use these insurances are extremely complicated and “depend a lot on the advisor that touches you” for them to apply. Also, they do not cover damage to the bicycle or motorcycle. On the other hand, on some of the platforms they also do not apply if the delivery person is not placing an order, which is frequent while they wait or come to deliver one.

These insurances also do not offer the benefits that they could access if they were part of the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS), such as savings for retirement, access to childcare or pensions.

Although the IMSS offers the option to acquire insurance as an independent worker and even , it is still an inaccessible option. To obtain it, a minimum monthly income of 6,000 pesos is required and, in that case, the monthly cost would be 1,609 pesos. Unpayable sum for delivery men.

Violence and harassment for app deliverers

Not One Delivery Woman Less was born two years after Not One Delivery Man Less and was founded by Paola Ángel as a result of the gender problems suffered by women who deliver apps. “We are working. We are friendly and respectful, not flirtatious. And that is something that people sometimes do not understand,” he mentions.

Ángel shares that the aggressions suffered by users range from receiving unwanted intimate photographs (“packs”) to intimidating messages such as “I need you to be a woman, if not, don’t turn me in”.

Although they do not have statistics on the attacks, the distribution partners prepared a map with the incidents that the delivery women have suffered, which they share with each other to prevent risk situations.

Discrimination is another frequent problem among app distributors. Paola mentions that just for carrying the repa backpack, access to establishments is denied, or they are delivered to the “loading zone” under unhygienic or dignified conditions.

Road safety: a problem of apps, government and citizens

Motorcyclists are the most vulnerable road users. According to the first quarterly report of traffic events 2022, this type of user constitutes 44% of injured people and 39% of deceased people.

The same report shows that of the 109 people killed in this period, 43 are motorcyclists, 32 pedestrians and nine cyclists. “It was after the confinement due to the health emergency due to covid-19 and during its progress that the proportion of deceased motorcyclists exceeded that of the rest of the users (…) a phenomenon that could be related to the increase in members distributors affiliated with home delivery platforms”, reads the report.

Ángel attributes this to two main reasons: the first is the lack of bike lanes. In total, in Mexico City there are 292 ways to circulate by bicycle in the 16 municipalities of CDMX. But they are not enough and delegations such as Tláhuac, Xochimilco or Álvaro Obregón are among the furthest behind.

, no block has all its roads with a cycle path. On the other hand, Iztapalapa also registered zero of its blocks with a cycle path in all its streets.

The second reason Angel attributes these accidents is because of the pressure to deliver orders. “They put a lot of pressure on us, how much we need, if we are far away and whether you like it or not, it stresses the delivery people a lot,” he mentions.

Faced with this situation, DidiFood shared some advice for delivery partners:

1. Knowing the bicycle: giving it proper maintenance, cleaning, adjustment and inspection before getting on and using accessories such as a well-fitting helmet, reflective vest, a bell or bell and lights can help prevent accidents or fatal injuries.
2. Consider the weather conditions: in hot weather, hydrate well and use sunscreen. In the rainy season, it is recommended not to use the bicycle or ride at high speeds as braking is less effective. On the other hand, it also prevents seeing other people or obstacles.
3. Basic rules of the cyclist: circulate in the lane on the right or bike lanes or bike lanes; keep a minimum distance of 1.5 meters; pass vehicles only on the left; pay attention to the traffic light; do not use headphones.
4. During delivery : park the bike in a bike rack or, if there isn’t one nearby, make sure you don’t block ramps for people with disabilities or driveways; review delivery instructions; leave if you feel insecure and do not enter the home.