We’ve all seen them on the roads, but have you ever wondered how much Checkers Sixty60 drivers earn?
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In typical South African fashion, it’s a little more complicated than you think …
No 1 grocery app
Checkers Sixty60 has taken South Africa by storm since its launch in 2019.
It’s the No 1 grocery app in South Africa, with over five million downloads and is available at 505 locations.
Their teal-coloured bikes have changed the way South Africans shop, giving consumers a more efficient and convenient way of getting groceries to their doorstep.
Although it’s made the lives of millions of people more convenient, have you ever wondered what a Sixty60 driver earns per month?
Recently, complaints and allegations concerning the treatment of these delivery men and women have surfaced.
One of the biggest complaints is that they are not regarded as employees and are underpaid.
According to TopAuto, Sixty60 delivery drivers are regarded as “independent contractors” and not permanent employees of the brand.
“Drivers are independent contractors; drivers receive a fee based on their contractual agreement to render a service and are therefore not salaried employees,” according to the company.
Checkers outsources all of the delivery platform’s logistics to its partner, Pingo, a joint venture between Shoprite (Checkers’ parent company) and RTT Logistics.
Criticised
This practice was severely criticised by Democratic Alliance MP and attorney Michael Bagraim who said that it could promote risky behaviour and pressure riders to be on the road working more than they probably should.
“They get no benefits whatsoever, and they have no protection of our labour law,” said Bagraim.
“It forces the purported employees to take as many trips as possible, putting their lives in danger,” he told GroundUp.
Dismissed for addressing difficulties
Meanwhile, MyBroadband reported on the payment these drivers receive, with a former Sixty60 operator spilling the beans.
According to the anonymous individual who worked at the Checkers store at Heiderand Mall in Mossel Bay from September 2022 until February 2024 when they were allegedly dismissed after addressing difficulties faced by the drivers in their delivery team, riders typically earn around R7 600 per month.
BUT!
Checkers Sixty60 drivers allegedly encountered difficulty when Pingo announced the removal of the R350 minimum daily fee that drivers would receive regardless of how many trips they made.
This led to a stay-away strike, and the minimum daily fee was reinstated.
The anonymous former worker explained that the typical R7 600 monthly earnings includes this R350 daily fee.
Cover own fuel costs
Meanwhile, drivers allegedly have to cover their own fuel costs and bike rental expenses.
“The fuel costs amounted to R3 200 per month, and the bike rental was R400 per week, leaving a rider with R2 800 in net monthly earnings.”
Without a minimum fee, this total would be much lower.
The source said that if riders made 13 or more deliveries, they would earn R30 to R35 a delivery, and if they did not reach 13, they would get the minimum fee.
According to MyBroadband, the minimum fee was allegedly removed again soon after the first strike, leading to another stay-away strike.
What’s your grocery delivery service of choice in South Africa?
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