Meal delivery bicycle couriers will no longer be subject to the “peer-to-peer” (P2P) tax status that has been widely criticised as exploitative, it has been confirmed. The tax rulings that allowed couriers to work under the P2P status – meaning without the social protections of traditional employment – will not be renewed, MP Anja Vanrobaeys (Vooruit) reported after questioning federal finance minister Jan Jambon (N-VA) on the matter. “For years I’ve been calling for an end to the exploitation of cycle couriers under this status,
and finally, the time has come,” Vanrobaeys said. “The fact that the rulings are being scrapped is a significant step forward, but I will keep fighting until meal delivery couriers receive full social protection, just like all other workers.” More than 85% of bicycle couriers in Belgium work under the P2P status, Bruzz reports. The P2P tax scheme is intended for services provided by a private individual, outside the scope of their professional activities, to another private individual, through the intermediary of a recognised electronic
platform. It was designed as a form of compensation for odd jobs or favours between private individuals. Anyone covered by the scheme is exempt from social security contributions for the self-employed if they earn no more than €7,460 per year across various sharing platforms. Limited tax also applies to that amount. Jambon confirmed that the tax rulings will not be extended and that no new applications have been submitted, meaning the last ruling expired on Sunday. “This means no more underage bike couriers or undocumented
people who have to take to the streets underpaid and unprotected to deliver meals and no more multinationals making a profit at the expense of bike couriers by exploiting loopholes,” said Vanrobaeys. “Today we are making it clear: no one in this country should be exploited and that includes bike couriers. This is an important step forward for the protection of our bike couriers.” Brussels MP Ilyas Mouani (Vooruit) also referred to the decision as an important and necessary step. “There are countless bicycle couriers
on the streets of Brussels – people who often do hard work in difficult conditions,” Mouani said. “They’re exploited all too often and have nowhere to turn. It’s really important that these unfair working conditions are finally being tackled.” Frank Moreels, chairman of the socialist trade union BTB-ABVV, also welcomed the decision. “This decision confirms what BTB-ABVV has been arguing for years. Meal delivery is not a favour between two individuals, but real work,” Moreels said. “Anyone who delivers meals under time pressure every day
creates economic value for large platform companies and is entitled to the same protection as any other worker.”
Belgium, meal delivery, bicycle couriers, P2P tax status, peer-to-peer, social protections, Jan Jambon, Anja Vanrobaeys, Ilyas Mouani, BTB-ABVV, Frank Moreels, exploitation