PHUKET: GrabFood riders in Phuket on Tuesday closed the food delivery app they relied on to take orders to demand a 10-baht increase in their base fee to 40 baht.
Natthisorn Boontaen, a representative of GrabFood riders in Phuket, said half of about 1,000 riders in the resort island had closed the app in protest and about 100 of them gathered at Saphan Hin public park in Muang district to pressure the delivery operator to look into their grievances.
Their previous effort to submit a letter asking for the food delivery fee increase failed as nobody from Grab showed up to receive it, said Mr Natthisorn.
Under the current rate, GrabFood riders are paid 30 baht for each delivery within a 4km radius.
They demanded a new rate of 40 baht per order within 4.5km. Beyond that, the base fee must be increased by one baht per 100 metres or 10 baht per 1km.
If an order is placed for delivery in another area such as Patong and Kathu or Muang district, the rider must be given an additional 10 baht, with the starting fee of 50 baht, said the group representative.
"Talks were earlier held between representatives of the riders and the operator about the delivery fee of 55 baht. However, Grab claimed it could not make profit from the figure and reduced the rate to 30 baht. The operator then collects 10 baht in service fee from each customer, leading to a drop in the number of orders. GrabFood riders were also affected. We then demand a 10-baht increase for our survival because some of us left their full-time jobs to do this job,’’ said Mr Natthisorn.
GrabFood riders demand the food delivery fee be increased from 30 baht to 40 baht for a distance of 4.5km. (Photo by Achadtaya Chuenniran)
