Concern over self-employed delivery drivers earning below national minimum wage
Self-employed drivers more likely to do unpaid work than directly employed workers, research suggests
More than a third of self-employed delivery drivers estimate their hourly earnings are below the national minimum wage, according to a new report.
Researchers at the University of Sheffield said their study suggested delivery drivers also face “intense” digital monitoring and weaker employment protections.
The survey of more than 1,400 parcel delivery drivers across the UK found examples of costs faced by drivers, including fuel, insurance, vehicle maintenance and mobile phones.
Drivers who were self-employed rather than directly employed were more likely to do unpaid work, said the report.
Just over one third of self-employed drivers estimated they earned less than the national minimum wage.
More than half of self-employed drivers said they take no breaks during the working day, compared with 13 per cent of directly employed drivers.
Kirsty Newsome, professor in employment relations at the University of Sheffield, said: “Parcel delivery is part of everyday life for millions of us, but the people doing the work are largely hidden from view.
“Our research shows just how much contractual status matters. Self-employed drivers carry the costs and risks of the job, with less predictable pay, more unpaid time and far weaker employment protections, while facing the same intense monitoring and pressure as their employed counterparts.”
Many of the self-employed drivers surveyed said they valued the flexibility of their working arrangements, and around two-thirds said they would prefer to stay self-employed.
Nicola Savage, GMB National Officer, said: "GMB Union and progressive companies have made massive strides in improving pay, terms and conditions in the delivery sector.
"Yet despite this, last mile deliveries remain a wild west, with many contractors locked in a race to the bottom.
"We call on all delivery companies to work with GMB to improve standards for couriers across the UK."