Survey: France’s delivery workforce dominated by migrant labour

A large-scale study has found that the majority of bicycle couriers in France are migrants, with many lacking legal status and earning less than €1,000 per month, according to a report cited by Le Monde.

The research was conducted by the French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development, which surveyed 1,000 bicycle couriers in Paris and Bordeaux beginning in 2024.

According to the findings, couriers work an average of 63 hours per week. Around 99% of respondents are men, and a similar proportion were born outside France. The study also found that approximately two-thirds of couriers do not have legal residency documents.

In addition, nearly half of those surveyed reported that they had gone at least one full day without food during the 12 months preceding the interviews.

The IRD study is described as the first of its kind. Its authors say the research aims to highlight the working conditions of delivery workers, as well as the physical and mental health challenges they face.

By Tamilla Hasanova