Pyszne.pl Courier Contracts Termination Sparks Labor Inspection in Poland

The food delivery market in Poland is facing significant upheaval as Pyszne.pl, operated by Takeaway Express Poland sp. z o.o., announced its intention to end contracts with all its current couriers by the end of August. This move could impact approximately 5,000 individuals, according to trade unions.

Instead of direct employment, Pyszne.pl is proposing that its couriers transition to collaborating with one of the company's fleet partners. This proposed shift comes at a time when the European Union is implementing new directives aimed at improving working conditions for platform workers.

The announcement has drawn a swift response from Poland's Minister of Family, Labour, and Social Policy. The minister has formally requested the Chief Labour Inspectorate to urgently verify the employment basis of the couriers. Concurrently, the State Labour Inspectorate has already initiated an inspection at the company.

This situation highlights the complex challenges in the gig economy, particularly concerning the classification of workers and the responsibility for their employment conditions. The increasing complexity of intermediation models makes it difficult to determine who is ultimately accountable for the terms of work, a core issue addressed by the new EU Platform Work Directive.