Local Delivery Drivers Protest Uber Eats Acquiring Foodpanda.

Taipei: Members of Taiwan's National Delivery Industrial Union protested against Uber Eats' plans to acquire foodpanda outside the Fair Trade Commission on Wednesday. More than 200 delivery partners gathered in protest, while the union filed a petition with the commission. According to Focus Taiwan, during the demonstration, the union called for a thorough and rigorous assessment of the deal, emphasizing that Taiwan's delivery industry would not recognize any decision unless it could be certain the process had been conducted effectively. It also urged the commission to prevent a monopoly from forming, noting that if Uber Eats were to acquire foodpanda, the delivery platform would control a market share of around 80-90 percent. The union further argued that Uber Eats would wield significant influence over the market, even if conditional clauses enabling the commission to penalize the company were included in the deal. Citing data compiled by local media, the union highlighted that if the acquisition occurred , Uber Eats would manage Taiwan's 160,000 delivery drivers and over 100,000 partnering sellers. Additionally, Uber Eats would gain access to the spending habits, GPS location, and financial and personal data of approximately 15 million consumers in Taiwan. The union also emphasized the need for official policies to regulate the delivery industry to protect the rights of delivery drivers. It pointed out that despite the Ministry of Labor already stipulating that the relationship between Uber Eats and its delivery partners is one of employer and employee, the company had failed to provide workers with basic protections. Furthermore, the union criticized Uber Eats for reducing wages and making it more challenging for drivers to earn bonuses. In response, Uber Eats Taiwan General Manager Chai Lee stated that the acquisition would benefit consumers, retail partners, and delivery drivers. Lee also mentioned that the company would engage in discussions with delivery service unions, as well as with the commission.