You may have also noticed that most delivery vans from parcel services are covered from front to back. The driving skills of most drivers are not a banner for the company and their van is proof of that. Striking are the white anonymous vans that tear through the residential areas without any advertising. You shouldn't think about the driver hitting a child in a residential area with his big bus.
When you confront them about it, the driver's excuse is all too often that it is busy or you get a big mouth in return. Of course we should not shave all delivery people with the same brush. Still, there is work to be done for the companies that hire these reckless riders. They are often the terror of the street.
irritation everywhere
Parking on bike paths and blocking streets is standard. Another delivery driver parks his bus in the middle of a 90-degree bend. After all, the packages have to be delivered. And then you can count yourself lucky that they come by. Many receive a message that unfortunately they were standing in front of the closed door, and that while you were waiting all day for the delivery. Track & Trace codes that do not work are often a sign that your package is somewhere in a depot waiting for the next day. Packages are delivered without ringing the bell and you will find them at the door without any notice. Coordinates of delivery are not correct and signing for receipt is no longer an option at all. In short, it is urgent that this sector comes under a magnifying glass.
benefit recipients drive in delivery buses
However, not all the fault lies with the drivers. Meanwhile, parcel deliverers have to work harder every day for less money. It has been known for years what is wrong in the industry, but almost nothing has changed. Deliverers have to deliver more and more packages in the same time. You get that with promises like tomorrow at home and free delivery. Because that's what we all want, right? When Flemish inspectors and detectives raided the PostNL sorting center in Mechelen earlier this year, they could not believe what they found. Of the 23 checked couriers who came to collect their parcels, 11 were 'black'. They regularly earn below minimum wage. And the workload is high – some barely take breaks.
PostNL is not doing better in the Netherlands either. An investigation by the Social Affairs and Employment Inspectorate showed at the end of last year that 9 out of 10 courier companies in the Netherlands do not have their affairs in order – including PostNL. Unemployed people who receive benefits drive in delivery vans, drivers without valid residence permits, fictitious companies that divert money.
