KUALA LUMPUR – Foodpanda delivery riders today cried foul over alleged mistreatment and unjust suspensions by the company, calling on the food e-hailing platform to immediately revise its punitive policies that they claim have affected over 100 delivery staff.
The riders said it was unfair for the company to suspend riders for up to 10 days for rejecting orders despite having promised them some flexibility in choosing which deliveries they will make.
Some riders were also unduly terminated for failing to meet key performance indicators set by the firm, they said.
“The excuse given by Foodpanda for the extended ban of riders is that these riders had low order acceptance rates. However, riders have their own justifications for declining orders,” said Muhammad Zulhelmi Mansor, president of the P-Hailing Riders Association (Penghantar).
“To suspend them from their jobs and not allow them to generate an income without giving them a chance to defend themselves is unfair.”
A Foodpanda representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Imam Ilyes, who has been delivering food for Foodpanda for three years now, said the company had clearly stated in its recruitment material that riders would be allowed flexibility to accept or decline orders at their discretion.
However, he said riders are now assigned expanded delivery zones outside of their pre-selected areas, increasing travel expenses and the risk of accidents for riders unfamiliar with the roads.
“The reality right now is very different from what they promoted to us,” Imam said.
Penghantar and a group of 15 Foodpanda riders had earlier today attempted to present a memorandum to the firm, outlining their complaints and demands.
There were no representatives available at the office, which was closed.
In the memorandum, Foodpanda was also urged to refrain from penalising Muslim riders who decline non-halal food deliveries, especially if the riders have made it clear in their preferences that they will only handle food prepared by halal restaurants. – The Vibes, March 24, 2022
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