From now on, working as a bike courier will no longer fall under the so-called ‘P2P status’, the tax-advantageous status that exists for people with second jobs. The socialist trade union is relieved: “This confirms that meal delivery is not a favour for a friend, but real work.”
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Gig economy: Bike couriers no longer ‘side-hustlers’, business can no longer use the tax loophole
Colin Clapson
Published:
More than 85 per cent of bike couriers in Belgium work under the P2P status. This is a tax scheme that was actually designed for people with side or secondary jobs. To be precise: private individuals who provide services to other private individuals outside their main job. They usually offer these services via a recognised electronic platform.
Anyone covered by this status is exempt from social security contributions for the self-employed, provided they earn no more than €7,890 per year across various platforms. Limited tax applies to amounts earned as well.
Until now, bike courier companies like Uber Eats or Deliveroo were covered by a tax ruling that allowed bike couriers to benefit from that P2P status. But that is now coming to an end. Belgian finance minister Jan Jambon (Flemish nationalist N-VA) has confirmed to Flemish socialist lawmaker Anja Vanrobaeys that these tax rulings will not be extended and that no new applications have been submitted.
Real work, not a fave
Vanrobaeys is relieved. “It means no more underage bike couriers or undocumented persons who have to take to the roads underpaid and unprotected to deliver meals. No more multinationals making a profit at the expense of bike couriers by exploiting tax loopholes.”
"Today we are making it clear: no one in this country should be exploited, not even bike couriers. This is an important step forward for the protection of our bike couriers."
Frank Moreels, chair of socialist union BTB-ABVV, is also pleased. "This decision confirms what BTB-ABVV has been denouncing for years: meal delivery is not a favour, but real work. Anyone who delivers meals under time pressure every day creates economic value for large platform companies and is entitled to the same protection as any other worker."
"The fact that the rulings are being scrapped is a significant step forward," concludes Vanrobaeys. "But I will keep fighting until food delivery riders receive full social protection, just like all other workers."
The phasing out of the tax rulings is also good new for government finances now more tax and larger social security payments will be due.