Grab Food drivers question ban from work

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Councilor Prisca Niña Mabatid delivered a privilege speech before the City Council yesterday regarding the claim of Grab Food Drivers that they were allegedly banned by the company without due process.

Some Grab drivers, who requested not to be named, have revealed to reporters that they have been accused of having committed an offense with the said promo that started last June, which they denied.

They said the promo was very affordable as a food amounting to P21 had a discount of P20, and admitted that some Grab drivers also availed it to feed themselves that time.

However, they said that a few days after, they allegedly got banned by the company even if there were no guidelines prohibiting them from ordering.

They said they were told that they will be investigated.

According to them, they had already apologized to Grab, if ever they made a mistake.

They called for their return to work considering they are having a hard time earning money, especially in this time of pandemic.

Mabatid, in her privilege speech, moved to invite Grab for an executive session to explain the suspension/termination of more than 100 Grab drivers.

“Dili sad sala sa driver kung sila mismo ni-avail sa promo kay mokaon sad gud sila og breakfast, lunch ug dinner nya barato gud kaayo ang promo, so who will not grab it? Wala man sad sa ilang balaud sa Grab company nga sila mismo di pwede mo-order through Grab application. So, unsay sala sa driver?” Mabatid asked.

“I am making this privilege speech to seek justice for the Grab drivers. I am not saying it is the Grab company’s fault nor the drivers’ fault. We just want the truth to come out… Ang nakasakit kay gibuhat pa gyud ni sa Grab company nga pandemic kaayong dako. Grabe ilang pag-antos karon nga wala gyud silay lain nga pangita,” she added.

Mabatid also requested the City Mayor to direct the Department of Manpower Development and Placement (DMDP) to assist and accommodate the unemployed Grab drivers to find gainful employment.

Further, she moved for the City Council to pass a resolution urging the companies, partnerships, or individuals operating delivery and courier activities using digital platform in the city to comply with applicable general labor standard and occupational safety, in accordance with Labor Advisory No. 14 Series of 2021 dated July 23, 2021.

Grab, in an official statement, said they are carefully investigating the matter, and they will continuously rely on the facts and their open communication channels with their delivery-partners.

“We thank Councilor Mabatid for supporting our delivery-partners, and rest assured that we will reach out to our partners and address this matter in private,” the company said.

“Grab will always be committed to supporting the needs of our partners during these difficult times, and we also have a responsibility to ensure that all partners on our platform are incentivized through their honest work - and key to this, are rules and policies that continuously upholds the safety, security, and wellbeing of our consumers, merchants, and partners,” it added. — JMD (FREEMAN)