Risa slams Lalamove on rider’s death

Senator Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday slammed Lalamove for "adding more insult to injury" after insisting that the delivery rider who was found lifeless on his motorcycle was not fulfilling orders on the day the incident happened.

Hontiveros said she welcomed the report that the courier service provider has already reached out to the family of Noel Escote, a Lalamove delivery rider who was found dead on his motorcycle along United Street, Kapitolyo, in Pasig City, on 1 November.

"Good news that Lalamove has already coordinated with the bereaved family of Mr. Noel Escote. However, there are important points that we need to pay attention to in this incident," she said in a statement.

"The statement of the company that he was 'not fulfilling orders on the day of the incident' is adding insult to injury," she added.

Hontiveros pointed out that Escote opted to ride his motorcycle to work, even on a holiday, and waited for someone to book his service as a delivery rider of the courier service company.

"Waiting for orders is part of the work of delivery riders not just the entire delivery of orders," she explained.

"One more important point, wasn't he found dead on his motorcycle? Is it not considered his workplace? When an employee dies in his workplace, is it not considered a work-related incident?" she added.

The lawmaker stressed that the line of reasoning "precisely demonstrates the necessity of having a policy and legal regime in place for gig economy workers to prevent further abuses and to finally shed light on these gray areas."

"Noel died while trying to make ends meet for his family and for the company he is considered a life partner. I hope that for the last time, his sacrifice and dedication in his job will be given dignity," she added.

Earlier, Lalamove said it has reached out to the kins of Escote to provide immediate assistance after they were informed of the incident.

"Our team has reached out to Mr. Escote's son to provide immediate assistance once we were informed of the tragedy," the statement read.

"From our understanding, Mr. Escote was not fulfilling orders on the day of the incident, however, we understand Lalamove is a crucial source of income for his family and the immense impact of the tragedy," it added.

Likewise, the courier service provider said that it is "in continuous conversation with the family to understand their situation and have provided additional assistance and financial support, to help them go through the difficult times."