Platform work | Layoffs in Lieferando strike wave

A chat group is desperately seeking employees. "I need 20 to 30 drivers," reads one message. The message is written in English: Most of the workers for these jobs, which are close to the minimum wage, barely speak German. They are expected to be ready for work by the weekend to prevent numerous order cancellations—as has happened in recent weeks. The sender is an account called "Kurierunternehmen," which claims to be recruiting drivers for the startup Fleetlery .

According to Northdata, the GmbH, registered in Hamburg, was renamed from Giglery to Fleetlery in 2024. The subcontractor provides pickers and couriers to delivery services and supermarkets – drivers who pick up orders and deliver them to customers. Not much else is publicly known about the company. Even the Hamburg Parliament hasn't yet revealed any details.

The NGG union criticizes the fact that such subcontractors are used to rehire former permanent employees of delivery services like Lieferando under precarious conditions. According to the general works council of Lieferando Takeaway Express, there are increasing reports of "blatant legal violations" by service providers . "Whether they comply with the law is almost impossible to monitor in practice," it complains. Non-transparent billing and cash payments often undermine the minimum wage.

Mass dismissals in wave of strikes

The warning is based on the fact that, according to the union, Lieferando plans to cut 2,000 jobs – most of them in Hamburg, according to a statement on Thursday. "Those affected were informed by email," it said. It is striking that cities with works councils are particularly affected. The announcement came during a nationwide wave of strikes at the delivery service , which also reached Frankfurt am Main on Friday.

Internal documents obtained by "nd" also reveal plans to close locations in 34 cities and downsize in eleven others. A fifth of drivers are expected to be affected by layoffs, according to the July strategy paper. In recent months, Lieferando had already not renewed many temporary contracts in Berlin or laid off drivers. The NGG (National Association of German Employers' Unions) estimates that around 500 drivers are affected. Lieferando disputes this figure.

Orders to subcontractors

A spokesperson for the Lieferando marketplace company explained in response to a query that the transition is not expected to begin until the end of the year. Affected employees will be supported with a social plan, "in cooperation with the general works council." Lieferando's service will be optimized through "additional fleet partners." This is necessary given the market and competitive environment. A "rigorous selection process" for subcontractors is in place to ensure that drivers are hired and paid correctly.

Among these partners is Fleetlery, where former Lieferando employees are now allegedly working under worse conditions, as two independent sources confirm. Lieferando denies that contact details were forwarded for this purpose. And the cash payments criticized by the NGG do exist. This is confirmed by conversations with employees, supported by chat transcripts obtained by "nd." The company did not respond to inquiries.

Against this backdrop, the general works council of Takeaway Express Lieferando is calling for the creation of "serious, permanent employment relationships in the delivery service industry." The NGG is demanding not only a collective bargaining agreement, but also that Federal Labor Minister Bärbel Bas (SPD) declare it generally binding. Furthermore, a direct employment requirement, as in the meat industry, could prevent the emergence of a "quagmire of subcontractors," the works council is calling on Berlin politicians to take action.