GrabFood drivers protest looming earnings cut

Photos from the National Union of Food Delivery Riders

MANILA, Philippines — Hundreds of GrabFood delivery drivers took to the streets on Wednesday to protest impending cuts in their daily earnings.

The drivers, who belong to various rider groups, gathered in Quezon City to express their objection to the base fare reduction, which they said would drastically affect their daily income.

“We are one with our fellow Grab riders in the National Capital Region in their efforts to stop Grab’s impending implementation of the unfair reduction of base fare from P45 to only P35, including the P10 six kilometer minimum per kilometer rate to only P7,” a protester from the Kapatiran sa Dalawang Gulong (Kagulong) said in a statement.

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Photos from the National Union of Food Delivery Riders

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“Riders’ meager income must be increased because they could no longer cope with the high prices of basic commodities, but instead Grab unfairly reduced them without even conducting enough consultations with the riders they fondly called partners,” he added.

The group added that Grab riders must also receive fair incentives, including free insurance.

Meanwhile, the National Union of Food Delivery Riders, in a separate statement, also demanded the ride-hailing company to lift the suspension on riders who joined the protest.

Photos from National Union of Food Delivery Riders

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“Magpapatuloy ang ating laban hangga’t una, lahat ng mga rider na isinuspindi o tinerminate dahil sa pagsama sa mga aksyon ay maibalik na may kompensasyon sa nawala nilang kita; at pangalawa, maibalik o mapabuti ang delivery rates,” said the group.

(Our fight will continue until. First, all riders suspended or terminated for participating in actions are reinstated with compensation for their lost income; and second, restore or improve delivery rates.)

It also vowed that riders will continue to demand fair work policies.