Feb 28 • 11:00 UTC 🇮🇹 Italy Il Giornale

Shame on riders, new slaves (of the algorithm)

The article discusses the plight of delivery riders in Italy, highlighting their exploitation and the harsh conditions they endure as they work under algorithmic management.

The article laments the degrading conditions faced by delivery riders in Italy, who are depicted as modern-day slaves to the algorithmic demands of their jobs. It emphasizes their struggles as they work tirelessly under varying weather conditions to make a living, all while the dignity of human labor is overshadowed by technological mechanisms and corporate greed. The author reflects on how these individuals, who deliver food and essential items, exemplify a troubling trend in the labor market where rights and dignity are sacrificed for profit.

Recent investigations by the Milan Prosecutor's Office have revealed alarming practices within Deliveroo Italy, leading to judicial oversight of the company. The inquiry suggests that there are tens of thousands of exploited riders, whose working conditions are far from humane, emphasizing the systemic exploitation prevalent in the gig economy. This call for judicial intervention underlines the urgency of recognizing and addressing labor rights in the age of algorithms and digital platforms.

Ultimately, the article serves as a critique of a labor system that commodifies human effort, reducing it to mere tasks dictated by algorithms. It stresses the need for reforms that safeguard workers' rights and restore dignity to labor, advocating for a shift towards a more equitable system that recognizes the fundamental right to work as a foundational value of the Republic. The ongoing legal scrutiny of companies like Deliveroo suggests a potential pathway towards change, if society is willing to confront the realities faced by these workers.

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