Latest news with #Glovo
Morocco World
3 hours ago
- Business
- Morocco World
Glovo Morocco Reaches Settlement with Competition Council over Antitrust Allegations
Marrakech – Glovo Morocco announced today that it has reached a settlement agreement with Morocco's Competition Council, ending the antitrust investigation into the food delivery platform's operations in the country's meal delivery sector. The agreement comes after the Competition Council formally notified Glovo of alleged anticompetitive practices in May, following a surprise inspection of the company's Casablanca offices in October 2024. The investigation was initiated by the Council's self-referral decision number 20/D/2024 dated February 19, 2024. Glovo Morocco chose to settle to 'continue to focus fully on its mission' of supporting partners, couriers, and customers across Morocco, according to the company's statement. The settlement demonstrates Glovo's commitment to maintaining a 'constructive relationship with Moroccan authorities and regulatory bodies.' The Spanish-founded delivery platform has committed to implementing several measures to strengthen transparency and fairness on its platform in the Moroccan market. For restaurant and café partners, Glovo pledges to modify commercial agreements by removing exclusivity clauses and publishing a detailed guide to ensure transparency in partner ranking on the app. These initiatives aim to provide restaurant owners with a better understanding and increased visibility of how the food delivery platform functions. For couriers, Glovo commits to establishing pioneering standards for independent platform workers in Morocco. The company will contribute an additional annual financial commitment of approximately MAD 31 million ($3.1 million) directly to self-employed couriers, subject to conditions that will be explained during implementation. Glovo will also establish a MAD 5 million ($500,000) annual Impact Fund for couriers, dedicated to scholarships covering higher education and vocational training. The fund aims to help couriers improve their career prospects, knowledge, and skills. The company further commits to implementing a competitive and transparent service pricing structure, promoting courier awareness of compliance with laws and regulations, and facilitating access to insurance solutions adapted to independent worker status. Glovo will also deploy initiatives focused on professional development and the importance of road safety. These commitments bring Glovo's total additional financial contribution to over MAD 35 million ($3.5 million), setting 'a new standard for independent platform workers in Morocco.' A troubled spell for Glovo in Morocco The settlement comes at a challenging moment for Glovo in Morocco. This month, delivery workers protested in Casablanca against what they claimed was a 'truncated' map of Morocco on the company's application that allegedly omitted the Sahara region, along with expressing dissatisfaction with their working conditions. Couriers voiced concerns about bearing all operational costs themselves while earning insufficient income. Glovo responded to these protests by explaining that the map issue was a 'technical anomaly' that occurred 'following a recent external update' and assured the error had been corrected. The company insisted it operates 'across the entire national territory, from Tangier to Laayoune, with full respect for the Kingdom's territorial integrity.' The company claimed it 'has always maintained an open dialogue policy with the courier community' and stated that 'in recent weeks, exchange sessions were held with a hundred couriers in Casablanca in a constructive spirit,' where Glovo presented 'concrete proposals aimed at improving the couriers' experience.' Morocco represents Glovo's fourth-largest market globally, with the platform working with more than 6,500 business partners and 4,500 couriers throughout the country. Since establishing operations in Morocco, Glovo has transformed the local home delivery landscape. Glovo Morocco states it will continue to collaborate with the Competition Council and relevant authorities to actively participate in establishing a legal framework while strengthening its competition law compliance program. The Competition Council, headed by Ahmed Rahhou, had previously accused Glovo of abusing its dominant market position, exploiting the economic dependency of its commercial partners, and implementing unfairly low pricing strategies. Article 7 of Law No. 104-12 on freedom of prices and competition prohibits behaviors that aim to 'prevent, restrict or distort competition,' specifically forbidding the imposition of 'unjustified commercial conditions' or 'minimum resale prices.' Founded in Barcelona in 2014, Glovo has rapidly expanded globally and is now owned nearly 94% by German firm Delivery Hero. The company has faced mounting criticism over its economic model based on the precarious status of delivery workers. In June, European authorities fined Glovo €106 million for anti-competitive practices, including no-poaching agreements. The post Glovo Morocco Reaches Settlement with Competition Council over Antitrust Allegations appeared first on Morocco World News.
Morocco World
23-07-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Justice Minister Ouahbi Proposes Judicial Document Delivery via Glovo
Marrakech – Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi has proposed an unconventional solution to reduce crowding in Moroccan courts: using delivery platforms like Glovo to transport official judicial documents directly to citizens' homes. During an oral question session at the Chamber of Councilors on Tuesday, Ouahbi suggested that delivery services could bring court-issued documents such as criminal records, commercial registries, and nationality certificates straight to applicants' doorsteps. 'People will laugh at first, but they will end up benefiting from it,' Ouahbi stated confidently, acknowledging that even directors within his own ministry have mocked the idea. The minister, who is at the center of recent allegations of tax fraud following documents leaked by the Algerian hacker group Jabaroot, cited the overwhelming volume of document requests as justification for his proposal. 'Recently, we received more than 10,000 requests for criminal records in Casablanca alone,' he explained. Ouahbi drew inspiration from European models, particularly Portugal, where passports are delivered directly to citizens. He envisions motorcycle couriers ensuring secure distribution of documents to applicants' homes. Beyond administrative simplification, the minister sees this initiative as an employment opportunity for young people in urban logistics. 'This service, if well organized, could create numerous jobs while reducing queues in courts,' he said. While Ouahbi did not specify a timeline or concrete details for the project, he confirmed that partnering with a private company like Glovo remains a possibility, suggesting that discussions could be initiated soon. Glovo under fire This proposal comes amid ongoing issues surrounding Glovo in Morocco. On Monday, Glovo delivery workers protested in Casablanca against what they called a 'truncated' map of Morocco on the company's application that allegedly omitted the Sahara region. The protesters also expressed general dissatisfaction with their working conditions, including concerns about bearing all operational costs themselves while earning insufficient income. The demonstrations in Casablanca are part of several spontaneous gatherings that have occurred in different Moroccan cities since early July. Glovo Morocco responded the following day, explaining that the map issue was a 'technical anomaly' that occurred 'following a recent external update.' The company assured that the error had been addressed upon detection and that 'the map displays correctly on the application.' The company stated it operates 'across the entire national territory, from Tangier to Laayoune, with full respect for the Kingdom's territorial integrity.' Regarding the workers' concerns about lack of dialogue, Glovo Morocco contradicted this perception, stating it has 'always maintained an open dialogue policy with the courier community, provided it takes place in a respectful, constructive and transparent framework.' The company detailed that 'in recent weeks, exchange sessions were held with a hundred couriers in Casablanca in a constructive spirit.' During these meetings, Glovo claims to have 'presented and communicated concrete proposals aimed at improving the couriers' experience.' Founded in Barcelona in 2014, Glovo has rapidly expanded to become a major player in on-demand delivery. Now owned nearly 94% by German firm Delivery Hero, the company has established itself in several countries through massive fundraising, notably from Abu Dhabi's sovereign wealth fund. Its economic model, based on the precarious status of delivery workers, faces mounting criticism. In June, European authorities fined Glovo €106 million for anti-competitive practices, including no-poaching agreements. Read also: Glovo Faces Antitrust Allegations in Morocco's Food Delivery Market Tags: Abdellatif Ouahbidelivery serviceGlovo in MoroccoMinister of Justice
Morocco World
22-07-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Glovo Blames Technical Glitch for Divided Map, Renews Commitment to Morocco's Territorial Integrity
Rabat – Glovo Morocco released a statement today, attributing the recent display of a divided Moroccan map on its courier applications to a technical glitch. Emphasizing that its operation spans throughout the entire country, Glovo said that it is working in full respect of Morocco's territorial integrity. 'A technical issue, identified by our teams, occurred on the courier applications following a recent external update, which temporarily caused the incorrect display of the map of the Kingdom of Morocco,' the statement said. The company further stated that it intervened to fix the issue upon detection, noting that the issue was 'immediately addressed,' adding that the Moroccan map is now correctly displayed on the application. Pledging openness and respect for dialogue policy with the courier community, Glovo Morocco said it held several discussion sessions with hundreds of couriers in Casablanca, presenting proposals aimed at improving the couriers' experience. 'Additional complementary measures are currently being rolled out,' the company pledged, noting that this is aimed at enhancing day-to-day work in direct response to customers' feedback. It also pledged efforts to strengthen exchange platforms with couriers to better take into account the diversity of their feedback, conveying commitment to co-developing sustainable solutions with relevant stakeholders. While the company reaffirms its position on the country's territorial integrity, Glovo's statement did not include an apology for customers. The statement followed protests launched by Glovo riders, who took to the streets of Casablanca earlier this week to protest deteriorating conditions and to denounce the distorted, incomplete depiction of Morocco's Sahara region on the company's app. Protesters condemned Glovo for displaying a map that excludes Morocco's southern provinces, labeling the region as merely 'Western Sahara'. Protesters also conveyed their anger over what they report to be unfair treatment of the couriers – specifically bringing to alarm that they are responsible for all expenses — including motorcycles, fuel, insurance, and equipment, with earnings they argue barely cover basic living costs. Sovereignty at the center Both domestically and on the international stage, Morocco consistently and clearly emphasizes that its sovereignty over the Sahara is non-negotiable, serving as the primary lens through which it views its relationship with partners and nations. The Moroccan government has been reiterating this position in diplomatic engagements, economic partnership, as well as foreign policy decisions. Ambiguous stances from several countries regarding Morocco's territorial integrity have been met with firm responses from Morocco's government, which has not hesitated to take bold steps when its sovereignty over its southern provinces was questioned. In 2021, Rabat froze ties with Germany in response to Berlin's unclear stance and a rift that lasted for months until Germany eventually endorsed Morocco's Autonomy Plan as a good basis for resolving the conflict. Similarly, tensions with Spain reached a historic low in April 2021, when Morocco recalled its ambassador after the Spanish government allowed Polisario leader Brahim Ghali to enter the country for medical treatment. What followed was a period of one of the most dramatic diplomatic crises in their history – tensions which only began to ease when Madrid aligned with Morocco's position in 2022, endorsing the autonomy plan as the most serious and credible political solution to end the dispute. In 2024, France also brought an end to years of diplomatic chill by officially recognizing Morocco's sovereignty over its southern provinces. Now, Rabat and Paris ties are hitting their stride, with robust cooperation on various levels. Tags: glovoGlovo in Morocco
Morocco World
21-07-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Moroccan Glovo Riders Rally Against Divided Sahara Map, Unfair Work Conditions
Rabat – On Monday, dozens of Glovo delivery riders took to the streets of Casablanca to protest deteriorating working conditions and to denounce the depiction of Morocco's Sahara region on the company's app. Wearing helmets and carrying their distinctive yellow delivery bags, the riders condemned Glovo for displaying a map that excludes the Moroccan Sahara and labels the area as 'Western Sahara.' This inclusion has been a breaking point for many workers who consider it an affront to Moroccan sovereignty. The protesters also reported that for months they have struggled under an unfair system where they are responsible for all expenses — including motorcycles, fuel, insurance, and equipment — while their earnings barely cover basic living costs. Glovo, which is 94% owned by the German company Delivery Hero, has faced scrutiny internationally. In June, Delivery Hero was fined €106 million by the European Commission for anti-competitive practices, including no-poaching agreements. Monday's protest is part of a broader wave of demonstrations. Since early July, delivery workers have organized spontaneous protests in multiple Moroccan cities, demanding fairer wages, insurance coverage, financial support for professional equipment, and recognition of their right to unionize. Despite mounting pressure, Glovo's Moroccan branch has remained silent, fueling frustration among riders who feel invisible to the company, yet essential to its business operations. Founded in Barcelona in 2014, Glovo rapidly expanded with backing from major investors, including Abu Dhabi's sovereign wealth fund. However, its business model — heavily reliant on precarious labor — is increasingly challenged by workers worldwide. This recent gathering is not the first; delivery riders have organized group protests since early July and show no sign of backing down until their demands are met. These protests highlight not only the political sensitivity surrounding Morocco's territorial integrity but also the growing social dissatisfaction with the realities of gig economy work in the country. Tags: glovoGlovo in MoroccoWestern sahara
TimesLIVE
11-07-2025
- Business
- TimesLIVE
Italian judge orders Glovo to discuss heat risks with unions
A judge in Milan has ordered the Italian arm of Spanish online delivery company Glovo to hold talks with unions about the specific health and safety risks faced by freelance couriers working in high temperatures in Italy, a court document shows. The ruling, dated July 8 and reviewed by Reuters, came in response to an urgent request from the Nidil Cgil union as part of a broader legal case concerning Glovo's safety policies for its 7,000 delivery workers in Italy. An Italian spokesperson for Glovo said the company had been in talks with unions for a while over heat-related issues, without giving details. Judge Antonio Lombardi told Glovo to immediately hold talks with a union representative in charge of workers' health and safety over specific risks arising from heatwaves, taking into account age, gender and maternity status. The order was issued under a fast-track procedure 'given the high temperatures recorded due to the recent heatwaves, which have a particularly negative impact on the health and safety of riders', the ruling said. Glovo has been under fire in Italy over a bonus, worth only a few euro cents per delivery and rising in step with temperatures, to compensate riders working during extreme heat. The company suspended the award after criticism from unions and politicians. Italy, like much of Europe, experienced heatwave conditions last week, with temperatures topping 35°C. Glovo's owner, Delivery Hero, last year increased provisions related to the legal status of its riders in Italy to cover social security contributions, interest and fines that Italian authorities may claim from Glovo from 2016 until the end of 2024. Reuters
