BERLIN (dpa-AFX) - Braving all weather, climbing stairs up and down--being a parcel courier is no easy job, and it becomes especially grueling in the run-up to Christmas. The immense strain on couriers is highlighted by a recent survey of employees, inspections at parcel companies, and work-related data from a health insurance fund.
A Verdi union survey presented Tuesday in Berlin, conducted among several thousand employees, found that couriers often work longer than legally permitted, have too few breaks, and sometimes must compromise on the quality of their work just to keep up with the workload. A day earlier, North Rhine-Westphalia's CDU-led Ministry of Labor painted a similarly bleak picture of the industry: The ministry presented the findings of several months of inspections, which revealed numerous violations of workplace safety regulations at parcel firms.
Couriers Frequently Off Sick
Another indicator of serious problems in the parcel sector comes from data analysis by the AOK Rheinland/Hamburg health insurance fund. According to the insurer, around eight (7.65) out of every hundred couriers are off sick each day--0.51 more than in other industries. Although this average is from 2024, there is little reason to believe the situation has significantly improved. In 2022 and 2023, the sick rate was lower. The AOK described it as "remarkable" that the absenteeism rate is so high in this sector, especially since couriers are relatively young, averaging 38.2 years old.
"Couriers are exposed to significant physical strain--lifting and carrying heavy parcels, frequent awkward postures, or constant stair climbing," explains AOK expert Michael Wenninghoff. "Added to this are time pressure, heavy traffic, and ever-larger delivery areas. The risk of physical and psychological overload is high." Three-quarters of sick notes are attributed to musculoskeletal disorders--in other industries, it's less than half.
Survey Reveals High Frustration Potential
The Verdi survey also delivers sobering insights. When asked whether they had to accomplish more work in the same amount of time over the past 12 months, 89 percent answered "to a very high degree" or "to a high degree." A similar number reported feeling rushed and said they were pushed to the limits of their capacity. Seventy-nine percent said they had to compromise on quality to meet their workload.
Based on the responses, experts calculated an index showing that working conditions in the parcel sector are significantly worse than in other economic sectors. An index score of 40 on a scale from zero to one hundred is considered negative, or "bad work." Parcel service employees also rated their pay as poor. According to the survey, many couriers work longer hours than legally allowed and have too few opportunities for breaks.
The survey also suggests that working conditions at subcontractors are particularly poor. However, there's a methodological limitation here, as only 247 responses came from people working at subcontractors.
Calls for New Regulations
Verdi Deputy Chair Andrea Kocsis sees the survey as proof that something is wrong in the industry and calls for better working conditions. "There is an urgent need for action in the sector." For example, a 20-kilogram limit is long overdue, above which parcels should no longer be delivered by a single person but by two.
The parcel sector is on a growth trajectory: As people order more and more online, parcel volumes have risen sharply in recent years. The pre-Christmas period, with promotions like Black Friday, is considered particularly labor-intensive. The industry is desperately seeking workers. Most parcel firms rely on subcontractors for deliveries, a practice Verdi sharply criticizes--the union demands a ban on subcontracting in the parcel sector. DHL takes a different approach from its competitors: The market leader uses almost exclusively its own staff for deliveries and pays relatively good wages.
Most Responses from Postal Workers
About 2,900 people took part in the online survey, of whom 1,900 worked for the market leader Deutsche Post/DHL. A spokesperson for the postal service emphasized that the company offers jobs subject to social security contributions with collective agreements, including "fair compensation." He added that the parcel sector is changing rapidly and shipment volumes fluctuate more than before: "On days with high volume--like now before Christmas--we need many hands, on quieter days fewer."
With the rise in parcels and the decline in letters, the job remains physically demanding. DHL invests in occupational safety and health and provides modern ergonomic equipment, according to the spokesperson. The company also supports the 20-kilogram limit for single-person deliveries. The BPEX association, representing DHL competitors GLS, DPD, and Hermes, declined to comment on the negative findings about the parcel sector.
20-Kilogram Limit Still Pending
When will conditions finally improve, such as with the proposed 20-kilogram limit for single-person deliveries? The previous "traffic light" coalition government had initiated such a regulation, but it was lost amid the coalition's collapse. The 20-kilogram limit is included in the law, but only as an empty shell: It will only take effect once a supplementary regulation is issued. This regulation is supposed to specify which technical aids would allow a single person to deliver heavier parcels. According to a spokesperson for the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs, work is underway to implement the requirements of the new postal law./wdw/DP/stw
