From 1 July, meal delivery companies will no longer be allowed to use young people under 16 as delivery drivers. The large number of young people on e-bikes would lead to unsafe situations. State Secretary Van Ark informed the House of Representatives of this.
Whereas previously mainly young people between 16 and 18 years old delivered meals, with the advent of the e-bike the number of deliverers under 16 years of age has grown. This would have increased the number of accidents.
The Inspectorate SZW showed earlier this year that catering companies with their own delivery drivers in particular do not comply with the rules. Of the 107 delivery restaurants, 76 went wrong: the delivery drivers worked too long, were underpaid or worked at times when they are not allowed to work under current regulations.
The Lower House and the Inspectorate SZW subsequently called for an age limit. The State Secretary of Social Affairs and Employment has now amended the Nadere Regeling Kinderarbeid (Further Rules on Child Labour), which will take effect from tomorrow.
Image: Tupungato / Shutterstock.com
