🚨 Labor Ministry Speaks Out
On October 16, Taiwan’s Minister of Labor, Ho Pei-shan, confirmed that the Ministry opposes Uber Eats' planned acquisition of foodpanda. The Ministry expressed concerns over the rights and pay of delivery workers. Labor representatives believe this merger could worsen working conditions unless strict agreements are made. The Ministry informed the Fair Trade Commission (FTC) of its stance and urged that the National Delivery Industrial Union’s demands be addressed before regulatory approval.
📝 Union Demands at the Center
Wang Hou-wei, head of the Ministry's Department of Employment Relations, emphasized that Uber Eats and foodpanda must reach an agreement with the union to secure fair pay and better protections for delivery workers. The Ministry's position is firm: without a consensus with the union, the acquisition shouldn’t move forward. This follows months of advocacy from workers pushing for improved rights.
⏳ Regulatory Delays
The proposed $9B deal is also delayed due to incomplete documentation from Uber Technologies and Delivery Hero (foodpanda’s parent company). The FTC is waiting for both companies to submit all required paperwork before starting its review. The commission stated that all relevant government agencies, including the Ministry of Labor, will be consulted during the review process.
🌐 Uber’s Global Strategy
This merger is part of Uber’s broader strategy to strengthen its global delivery operations. While the deal could reduce competition in Taiwan, many are concerned it could result in negative impacts for delivery drivers, who are pushing for better wages and working conditions. The deal remains uncertain as regulatory and labor concerns continue to pile up.
Will the Uber Eats-foodpanda merger harm delivery workers?
