The UK’s top food delivery firms are stepping up their crackdown on illegal delivery workers after government warnings. Uber Eats, Deliveroo, and Just Eat will now enforce stricter identity checks, including daily facial recognition scans.
Ministers met with the companies on Monday to address concerns about undocumented migrants working illegally. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp recently claimed to have found unauthorized workers at a migrant housing site. Now, all three platforms have agreed to expand fraud detection measures within 90 days.
Just Eat already uses facial verification but will increase checks from monthly to daily. Deliveroo and Uber Eats will also adopt more frequent biometric screenings. The move aims to ensure only registered couriers can access their apps.
Moreover, border Security Minister Angela Eagle praised the firms’ commitment but warned against complacency. She said illegal work harms wages and fuels smuggling networks. Employment Rights Minister Justin Madders added that unregulated labor enables worker abuse and undercuts legal employees.
In addition, the crackdown on illegal delivery workers aligns with the government’s broader labor reforms. Officials plan further talks with gig economy companies to enforce fairer working conditions.
A Deliveroo spokesperson said they are strengthening defenses against fraud. Uber Eats vowed to keep investing in detection tools. Just Eat also promised ongoing upgrades to prevent system abuse.
Critics, however, question whether facial recognition alone can solve the issue. Privacy advocates warn that excessive surveillance could infringe on workers’ rights. Yet, with the crackdown on illegal delivery workers gaining momentum, the industry faces mounting pressure to comply.
The new checks will roll out in the coming months. Authorities will monitor progress closely. If successful, the measures could set a precedent for other gig economy sectors.
For now, the focus remains on balancing security and fairness. Will the crackdown on illegal delivery workers succeed? Or will loopholes persist? The next few months will be crucial.
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