A group claiming to represent gig workers for grocery delivery startup Instacart called for a walkout next week if the company fails to provide coronavirus hazard pay and needed safety supplies.

The threat came Friday as Instacart announced new health and safety measures including bonuses for in-store shopping and providing two weeks pay to hourly employees or full-time shoppers diagnosed with COVID-19 or quarantined by authorities.

A Medium post signed by shoppers with the group calling itself the Gig Workers Collective accused Instacart of "profiting astronomically off of us literally risking our lives, all while refusing to provide us with effective protection, meaningful pay and meaningful benefits."

It was not immediately clear how many Instacart shoppers the group represented.

The move comes amid surging volume by the delivery startup seeking to meet demands of consume ring sheltering in place due to the pandemic.

"The health and safety of our entire community -- shoppers, customers, and employees -- is our first priority," Instacart said in response to an AFP inquiry.

"Our goal is to offer a safe and flexible earnings opportunity to shoppers, while also proactively taking the appropriate precautionary measures to operate safely."

Instacart this week announced plans to double the ranks of "shoppers" who fill orders in North America as people hunker down to reduce coronavirus risk.

The San Francisco based firm said it wants to add another 300,000 "full-service shoppers" during the coming three months to meet soaring demand for grocery delivery or pick-up.

Instacart is part of the "gig economy" and serves as a platform connecting people seeking grocery deliveries with those willing to handle the task for a fee.

Although Instacart shoppers lack many of the advantages of regular employees, the company last year launched a program offering some benefits including accident insurance and access to health plans.

The walkout call said Instacart shoppers should abandon their posts on Monday and not return until their demands are met.

Instacart should provide shoppers with disinfectant wipes, soap, sanitizer and other protective gear, and kick in $5 per order hazard pay along with a 10 percent tip by default on purchases, according to the statement.

Also, guaranteed pay should be extended to shoppers with documentation from doctors saying they are at high risk or should self-quarantine because of the pandemic, the notice said.

"We believe there is no choice but to not only walk off," the message concluded.

Related Links
Farming Today - Suppliers and Technology

Tweet

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The Space Media Network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceMediaNetwork Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceMediaNetwork Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

DR Congo latest victim of locust swarms: experts
Bunia, Dr Congo (AFP) Feb 27, 2020
After they ravaged parts of East Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo has became the latest country on the continent hit by an invasion of crop-destroying locusts, experts said on Thursday. The insects made their first appearance in northeastern DR Congo's Ituri province - its first such swarm since 1944 - on the frontier with South Sudan and Uganda, which have already been hit by locusts. "A small group of mature Desert Locust arrived on the western shore of Lake Albert near Bunia on 21 F ... read more