Reflecting on Two Years of The Couriers Pledge
The Courier’s Pledge is our commitment to increase the social rights and benefits available to couriers, regardless of employment or work status with the company. It was developed with advice from the Fairwork Foundation, establishing a new set of standards that includes fair hourly earnings (guided by WageIndicator’s data on fair earnings and living wages), improvements to insurance coverage and access to learning & development training, safety and maintenance provisions.
Over the last two years, we’ve been able to extend our impact and as of today, The Couriers Pledge covers 70% of the countries where Glovo operates. This isn’t just a statistic; it’s a representation of the positive impact the initiative has had on over 28,000 couriers across many of our markets.
Building a Community
In a recent internal survey, we’ve seen positive feedback from couriers. We saw that 75% expressed that Glovo is their preferred choice among other multi-category apps, and over 80% indicated a likelihood to continue using our platform. This feedback isn’t a pat on the back; we know there is more work to be done and we aim to roll out the Couriers Pledge to all couriers across the 25 countries we operate in.
The Couriers Pledge is a commitment to make a genuine impact on the lives of our couriers. The program ensures extra periodic payments for sick leave and financial support during parental leave which is a recognition of the importance of family and personal well-being.
Upskilling Opportunities through G-Learning
Under the umbrella of the Couriers Pledge and funded by Glovo’s Impact Fund, G-Learning was born with the goal of providing couriers with the opportunity to upskill their knowledge. G-learning is composed of several projects that tackle the same need: helping couriers to acquire new skills that will help them find job opportunities as we believe that being a courier should only be temporary. The tools available to couriers include:
An e-platform with online courses
Busuu a language learning app
The Start Program, a one-week in-person course targeted at couriers who want to start their own businesses, in partnership with Impact Hub.
Local entrepreneurship programs run in various countries depending on local demand.
To date, this platform has created an opportunity for over 4,000 couriers across all the countries to enhance their skills. They are more than participants; they are learners embracing courses in Communication & Languages, Digital Skills, Coding, Business Development, and Personal Skills. It’s about creating opportunities for growth beyond the delivery routes.
Courier Safety
Safety is a priority, and The Couriers Pledge is our commitment in action. Through collaborations with partners like FIA, DGT, NARSA and First Aid organizations, we’ve implemented 68 safety initiatives across all countries. This isn’t just about reducing incidents; it’s about ensuring our couriers return home safely.
Inside the Courier app, we’ve also introduced The SOS button, providing a straightforward tool for couriers to call for help and notify authorities in emergencies. It’s about their well-being on the road, something we take seriously.
The Pledge in Morocco
On October 4th 2023, we marked the two-year anniversary of the Courier’s Pledge in Morocco. Morocco was one of the pioneering countries to implement this initiative, which is now available to couriers in 20 countries.
To commemorate the 2nd anniversary of the Pledge, our Co-Founder, Sacha Michaud, visited Casablanca to meet and converse with over 50 Moroccan couriers. Beyond the numbers, this journey reflects the resilience and progress of our community. Today, we have over 4,500 active couriers in Morocco alone, with more than 500 participating in courses of G-learning, our e-learning platform. Among them, more than 240 have completed courses, and over 100 have taken up language learning with our partner Busuu. These interactions go beyond statistics; they are personal stories of progress and learning within our community.
Pledge Day Event in Morocco
A Path Forward
As we celebrate The Couriers Pledge, we recognize the impact on the lives of our couriers, who go the extra mile every day. “We believe that it is our responsibility to to raise the bar for couriers, giving them basic guarantees and security. The program has been instrumental in elevating the lives of couriers, providing them with enhanced benefits, learning opportunities, and safety measures,” said Sacha Michaud, Glovo Co-founder. “As we continue to expand its reach globally, we remain committed to empowering and supporting couriers every step of the way.”
The Couriers Pledge is more than a program; it’s a journey we take alongside the couriers who use our platform. We understand that there’s still more work to be done in the future. Through frequent exchanges with the Courier community, we hope that this pledge will not only set the standard for our industry, but help Courier’s feel safe and supported throughout our collaboration.