North Rhine‑Westphalia’s Labour Minister Karl‑Josef Laumann (CDU) has called for a legal requirement that food‑delivery companies employ their couriers directly rather than subcontracting them. He told the “Rheinische Post” (Wednesday issue) that his policy principle is that competition should not come at the expense of workers, meaning wages should not be squeezed and core tasks should be carried out by permanently employed staff.
Laumann noted that couriers, even when hired through subcontractors, actually perform the essential duty of delivering food. “That is why I support the Working and Social Ministers’ conference’s push to embed a direct‑employment mandate for platform workers in the food‑delivery sector” he said. He added that ensuring couriers can work under good conditions is essential. By eliminating subcontracting, the industry could improve working conditions and safeguard employees’ welfare.
