Rider Reports Assault by Customer and Unfair Charge by Delivery Company
Incident in Milan Highlights Challenges Faced by Gig Workers amid Increasingly Tense Delivery Interactions
In a troubling incident that underscores the challenges faced by delivery workers in the gig economy, a 35-year-old rider from Pakistan, working for Glovo, was assaulted by a customer in Milan and subsequently charged for undelivered goods.
The incident was reported to local authorities on January 10, following a misunderstanding during a delivery attempt.
The rider arrived at a residential complex on Via Ulpio Traiano on the evening of January 8 to deliver groceries.
A communication mishap led to confusion when the customer instructed the rider to deliver to intercom number 333 instead of number 1. Upon attempting to deliver at 333, the rider was informed by the resident that no order was expected, and further attempts at clarification resulted in threats to involve the police.
After contacting Glovo, the rider was instructed to return the goods since the order was canceled.
However, before he could comply, a woman—believed to be the customer—emerged from the building, seized items including milk and water, and assaulted the rider, causing him to drop and damage his phone.
Despite being assured by Glovo's customer service that he would incur no charges, he was later billed €16 for the undelivered groceries.
The rider reported the incident to the Milan Porta Sempione police station, detailing the physical altercation and the estimated €200 damage to his Huawei phone.
Deliverance Milano, a self-organized union for delivery workers, has publicly highlighted the issue, emphasizing the precarious nature of gig work and the lack of adequate support mechanisms for workers facing such disputes.
This incident is not isolated, reflecting broader tensions within the gig economy as delivery platforms expand globally.
Riders often face logistical challenges, communication barriers, and confrontations, exacerbated by unclear support from the companies they contract with.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by gig workers who operate at the frontline of the rapidly changing commerce landscape.
The incident was reported to local authorities on January 10, following a misunderstanding during a delivery attempt.
The rider arrived at a residential complex on Via Ulpio Traiano on the evening of January 8 to deliver groceries.
A communication mishap led to confusion when the customer instructed the rider to deliver to intercom number 333 instead of number 1. Upon attempting to deliver at 333, the rider was informed by the resident that no order was expected, and further attempts at clarification resulted in threats to involve the police.
After contacting Glovo, the rider was instructed to return the goods since the order was canceled.
However, before he could comply, a woman—believed to be the customer—emerged from the building, seized items including milk and water, and assaulted the rider, causing him to drop and damage his phone.
Despite being assured by Glovo's customer service that he would incur no charges, he was later billed €16 for the undelivered groceries.
The rider reported the incident to the Milan Porta Sempione police station, detailing the physical altercation and the estimated €200 damage to his Huawei phone.
Deliverance Milano, a self-organized union for delivery workers, has publicly highlighted the issue, emphasizing the precarious nature of gig work and the lack of adequate support mechanisms for workers facing such disputes.
This incident is not isolated, reflecting broader tensions within the gig economy as delivery platforms expand globally.
Riders often face logistical challenges, communication barriers, and confrontations, exacerbated by unclear support from the companies they contract with.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by gig workers who operate at the frontline of the rapidly changing commerce landscape.
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