Glovo’s Rapid Growth in Morocco Raises Concerns Over Delivery Workers’ Conditions

Glovo, which recently reached one billion orders worldwide, is experiencing spectacular growth in Morocco, says Majdouline El Idrissi, Head of Development and Public Affairs for Africa at the Spanish company. It achieved record sales figures last year, particularly during the summer season, when orders increased by 40% compared to the previous months (March-April-May).

Glovo achieved this feat during the summer period and trips to the north of the country, which led to an increase in demand for delivery services. The cities that recorded the most meal delivery and other customer needs orders are: M’diq (Tétouan) which tops the ranking with an increase of 715%, followed by Nador (+157%), Oujda (+87%) and Essaouira (+92%), Glovo said in a press release, noting that several of its users traveled from Casablanca to Marrakech, Mohammedia and Dar Bouazza, while Rabat users headed to Casablanca and Tangier.

While Glovo’s sales figures are soaring, the delivery people are living in precariousness. They complain about the difficult working conditions they face daily, in exchange for salaries they consider derisory. At the root of this situation, a legal void surrounding the meal delivery profession in Morocco, unlike other countries. For example, labor legislation has been amended in Spain and meal delivery people are now considered "presumed employees". The couriers are therefore employees. The Spanish company has not yet extended the measure to its couriers in Morocco.