What is Ubereats now? November 12, 18:12

People riding bicycles carrying black bags in the streets in the city. Recently, I often see it at the lunchtime Marunouchi high-rise buildings and weekends in Shibuya parks. I am a delivery member of “Uber Eats,” a delivery service that delivers food to my home, office, and cherry blossom spots. The sights that were rare in Japan are spreading rapidly just three years after the service started.

On the other hand, this new service also has unexpected challenges. I hit the top of "Uber Eats" who came to Japan. (Economics Department reporter Ryoto Iga)

In the meantime! ? Why is it increasing?

“Uber Eats” was launched in Japan in September 2016. The initial partner is only about 150 stores in Tokyo. It is easy to order with just one smartphone, and it can be used at over 14,000 restaurants in more than 10 cities nationwide such as Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Kyoto and Fukuoka.

Among the 36 countries that do business, Japan is especially promising, Jason Droge, who is the head of Uber Eats at U.S. Certainly, there are regular meals such as soba, Chinese food, and pizza. However, I think that the business opportunity is that online delivery using smartphones is less than in other countries, and we intend to expand the business to local cities.

“We are surprised that we have grown so rapidly, but Japan is one of the fastest growing markets and is now a high priority region in the world. Therefore, we improved the quality by shortening the delivery distance from the restaurant to the customer so that the food can be delivered while it is warm, and by visiting the restaurant one by one at the start of the service and building relationships. Japan has been delivering for a long time, but I think there are fewer opportunities to order using smartphones than in other countries. ''

It is the bag that the deliveryman has to carry in order to realize the "can be eaten in the same state as the store in a warm state" that Japanese consumers want. It is 46cm high, 31cm wide and 46cm long. The weight is about 3.2 kg.

It is waterproof and can keep the temperature of food and drinks. Some of the delivery staff can move the inside partition and fix it with a towel to prevent the dishes from moving. According to the company, the deliveryman pays a 4000 yen deposit and borrows a bag.

What kind of person is the delivery person?

Who are the deliverymen running around with the bag? A 37-year-old woman who participated in an exchange event in Tokyo where Mr. Dorozi took part is also working part-time at a restaurant while raising a child, and on average the delivery seems to earn tens of thousands of yen in about 20 hours a week .

“With Uber Eats, you can go home and rest on the way, so you can be flexible. Living expenses are earned by part-time job, and you can get money for Plus Alpha children by delivery.”

“I am trying to increase my income source and I deliver it after work or on holidays. I think I can make money for my free time.”

Over the past few years, there have been an increasing number of people working in side jobs and part-time jobs in Japan, as well as those working as independent businesses. In fact, the number of “Uber Eats” who deliver food and drinks on behalf of restaurants is 15,000 as of July, and the number has increased since then.

Compensation and treatment is a challenge Dealing with unions

However, new issues have emerged with the introduction of new services. Uber Eat delivery personnel were injured during delivery by bicycle.

On October 1st, the company started compensation such as paying treatment costs up to 250,000 yen in case of injury during a delivery accident.

However, on October 3, 17 (at that time) deliverymen formed a labor union seeking to improve working conditions. Because they are “individual business owners”, they argue that even if they are injured, workers' compensation insurance is not applicable.

On the other hand, Uber is not responding to negotiations with the labor union, because the deliveryman is just a “single business owner” and has no employment contract with the company.

In this regard, Mr. Droge says it is essential to have an attractive working environment and secure enough delivery personnel to grow the business.

“Our service offers a flexible way of working so that the deliveryman can work at any time, but it also requires compensation and treatment that makes the deliveryman feel attractive. We will add measures so that we can work efficiently, and we have established a base where delivery staff can visit for consultation, and I think it is important that the voice of the delivery staff reaches us. ” (Mr. Droji)

Can delivery trouble be prevented?

Another thing we can't overlook is the trouble with delivery. On SNS, troubles such as customers refusing to receive because the food delivered by the Uber Eats delivery person was cold have been posted.

Droji emphasizes that such troubles can be prevented by a system where users and deliverymen evaluate each other in the app.

“It is impossible to prevent all troubles. The important thing is how to deal with it and how to improve it. There is a system that allows customers, deliverymen and restaurants to evaluate each other. However, in some cases, customers, delivery personnel, and restaurants that have problems are kept out of service. ''

Convenient online, but how do you work?

Consumers seeking deliciousness and convenience. A restaurant that wants to expand its business, although there is no room for delivery. Also, a deliveryman who wants to work with peace of mind whenever he wants. These services are not possible until these three parties are satisfied.

In the US where Uber's headquarters is located, the way of working and economic form undertaking a one-off job through the Internet is called Gig Economy. (Gig is a single-use concert that has been diverted)

In the United States, it is said that discussions are proceeding quickly as to whether to treat a gig worker who works like a “Uber Eats” as a “single business owner” or “employee” as a single worker.

Even in Japan, where the gig economy has begun to spread, companies are asked how to improve the working conditions of working people, that is, how they can provide an “attractive” working style as seen in the interview.

Economic Department reporter Ryoto Iga

Entered in 2006 Sendai Station Okinawa Bureau Economic Department Network News Department and again from this summer Economic Department