Did somebody say Menulog? Apparently not, because the food delivery app just announced it was ceasing operations in Australia in two weeks’ time.
In a statement online, owners Just Eat Takeaway.com said Menulog will no longer be taking orders from midnight Wednesday, 26 November, in response to “challenging circumstances”.
“This strategic decision reflects our focus on accelerating growth and investments in other markets and to deliver the best experience for customers, partners and couriers,” the statement said.
Around 120 employees will be impacted, with Just Eat Takeaway.com saying all employees will be “fully supported with generous redundancy packages above legal requirements and outplacement support”.
A statement from managing director Morten Belling also said “eligable couriers” will be entitled to a four-week voluntary payment.
“Today is a tough day for the Menulog business and I would like to reassure everyone this decision was not taken lightly,” Belling said.
“Our priority now is to support our customers, couriers and partners. This is why we are providing everyone a two-week transition period, in which customers can redeem unused vouchers and credits.”
The Transport Workers’ Union (TWU) has called for remaining food delivery companies like Uber Eats and DoorDash to “get on board” with regulatory standards in the gig economy.
“This will be a shock to the thousands of food delivery riders who rely on Menulog for income. We will be working to ensure those workers receive pay for their work and fair exit payments over the coming weeks,” TWU national secretary Michael Kaine said.
“In the gig economy, workers are still languishing with below-minimum wage rates, no sick leave or superannuation, and deadly pressure to rush to make a living and avoid being deactivated.”
Kaine said Menulog supported legislation to put gig economy standards in place, but blasted the former Coalition government for “a decade of neglect” on not seeing the legislation come to pass.
“Menulog wanted to do the right thing by its workforce but years of regulatory neglect by Coalition governments has meant that change has come too late,” Kaine said.
“We are paying the price for Coalition governments’ inaction now, not just with jobs that are exploitative and dangerous, but with less options for customers in an unsustainable industry engaged in a race to the bottom.
“We urgently need standards in the gig economy to stop the relentless downward spiral. New laws introduced by the Albanese government will significantly level the playing field but DoorDash, Uber Eats, Hungry Panda and Easi now need to come to the table to ensure we get standards in place as soon as possible.”
If you have a Menulog voucher or credit notice, better use it asap.
Lead photo: Getty.
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