During large-scale inspections of food delivery services, Austria’s financial police uncovered over 50 suspected violations of labor market regulations. On Thursday, officials checked 67 businesses or business sites and 75 delivery workers across the country, the Ministry of Finance reported Friday. Preliminary interviews had already indicated that a significant number of freelance contractors were working illegally.
In 50 of the cases examined Thursday, there is suspicion of false employee classification. In three cases, the food couriers were not registered for social insurance and were simultaneously receiving unemployment benefits. Seven couriers were neither registered nor had valid work permits. One courier did not possess a valid residency permit. The operation was carried out in cooperation with the Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK).
Increasing Use of Freelance Contracts
The ministry said the reason behind the latest raids is the growing trend of converting genuine employment relationships into freelance contracts. Labor and Social Affairs Minister Korinna Schumann (SPÖ) had already announced increased scrutiny of platform work and false self-employment earlier in April, following job cuts at Lieferando and its switch to freelance delivery.
Major food delivery platforms in Austria include Lieferando, Foodora, and Wolt.
Foodora told APA that it registers all couriers “properly with social insurance before they start working” and thoroughly verifies documents during the application process. Lieferando declined to comment on the ongoing investigation.
Wolt stated it has not yet been contacted by authorities but is “of course” ready to cooperate. The company checks whether new courier partners have valid business licenses, tax numbers, and residency permits.
Marterbauer: “No Tolerance”
“Some try to gain advantages at the expense of other market participants and especially employees,” said Finance Minister Markus Marterbauer. “There can be no tolerance for this. Even if service companies face tough competition, fair market practices must be ensured.”
Social Affairs Minister Schumann called the “systematic circumvention of labor protections” unacceptable. She emphasized that such practices particularly harm workers, depriving them of essential social insurance, including health, pension, and unemployment coverage.
