🛵 Drivers Using Fake Accounts
Belgian food delivery drivers working for Deliveroo and Uber Eats have been found to use fake accounts to evade taxes and skirt legal work requirements, according to an investigation by De Tijd. Drivers often "borrow" accounts from others via social media, allowing them to work under false identities. The investigation uncovered Facebook groups with 6,000 to 10,000 members where users sell or "subcontract" their delivery profiles to others. These arrangements allow undocumented workers, minors, and unemployed individuals to earn money under the radar.
💰 Avoiding Tax and Legal Obligations
Under Belgian law, food couriers are granted a peer-to-peer (P2P) status, which permits them to earn up to €7,460 per year with a flat tax rate of 10.7%. However, many drivers exploit this system by using multiple accounts to exceed this threshold without paying additional taxes. The use of fake profiles not only violates tax laws but also allows drivers to work without proper documentation, putting them outside the bounds of legal employment. Some also do this to avoid losing unemployment benefits.
⚖️ Legal Status in Limbo
The legal status of delivery drivers in Belgium has been under scrutiny. In December 2023, a ruling determined that Deliveroo drivers should be classified as employees rather than independent contractors, overturning a previous ruling from December 2021. This decision has sparked ongoing debates, with the outgoing Finance Minister, Vincent Van Peteghem, expected to issue advice on how to proceed. The legal ambiguity makes it easier for drivers to exploit loopholes in the system.
🔍 Inadequate Prevention Measures
Despite efforts by Deliveroo and Uber Eats to prevent the misuse of accounts, including the implementation of facial recognition technology, these measures have been largely ineffective. The investigation by De Tijd revealed that drivers continue to bypass these security features, allowing the practice of sharing logins to persist. Both companies have acknowledged the problem but have yet to implement effective solutions. The ongoing misuse of these platforms raises questions about the enforcement of labor and tax laws in the gig economy.
How should Belgium address the misuse of gig economy platforms?
