Instabee, formed in 2022 through the merger of Instabox and Budbee, has applied collective bargaining agreements for personnel at terminals and in its own delivery operations since 2023. This part mainly covers deliveries to parcel lockers. Now, the requirements are being extended to also include the external carriers that handle the majority of the company's home deliveries.
We have worked intensively this spring to find solutions that make this work despite a great need for flexibility and strong price pressure where not all players need to compete on the same terms. We are working with a few practical alternatives, in-house, with subcontractors, or a mix, but in all cases we ensure that the drivers are covered by collective bargaining agreements, says Matilda Hasselmark, Country Manager of Instabee Group, in a comment.
Investing Millions Monthly
The change is described as a proactive responsibility to create equal conditions throughout the delivery chain. According to the company, it is not only about legal requirements, but about practically financing the transition through investments on a million-dollar basis each month.
The goal is for the entire delivery chain to be connected to collective bargaining agreements within twelve months.
The ambition is to ensure good and equal working conditions for everyone in the delivery chain, both our own employees and employees of subcontractors. This is an important step towards creating long-term stability and clarity for those who work with deliveries for our business, says Matilda Hasselmark.
Follows Previous Criticism
The decision to tighten requirements comes after the company has previously been subjected to media scrutiny. At the end of 2024 SVT Nyheter reported on testimonies from drivers at subcontractors who lacked collective bargaining agreements. The criticism concerned, among other things, deficiencies in the working environment and lack of compensation for overtime work in connection with stops being removed from routes.
Instabee has previously refuted the reports of systematic deficiencies but now announces that it has taken several measures to strengthen follow-up. In addition to the requirement for collective bargaining agreements, the company has implemented a new system for managing work injuries and accidents, and initiated training efforts for managers regarding salary setting and insurance coverage.
The company expresses hope that the initiative will lead to more actors in the transport industry following suit to create healthier competition on equal terms.