EMEEN Stands Against the Misuse of UK Food & Parcel Delivery Digital Platforms for Illegal Employment Activity
- EMEEN Network
- Aug 3
- 2 min read
EMEEN is fully committed to supporting and maximising the economic capacity of ethnic minority communities across Northern Ireland and the UK. We believe in empowering individuals through legal employment, entrepreneurship, and equitable access to opportunity. However, EMEEN does not condone or support any form of illegal or fraudulent economic activity. Upholding legal standards is essential to protecting the integrity of our workforce, ensuring public trust, and creating fair and sustainable pathways for all who contribute to the economy within the bounds of the law.
The Ethnic Minority Employment and Entrepreneurship Support Network (EMEEN) strongly condemns all forms of illegal employment activity involving migrants across the UK, particularly within the rapidly growing food delivery sector. This includes individuals who are not legally permitted to work, and those misusing delivery platforms through borrowed accounts, false identities, or unauthorised vehicles.
In recent months, several targeted crackdowns have taken place across UK cities, revealing a concerning rise in illegal work activity. Home Office enforcement teams, in collaboration with local police forces, have seized dozens of mopeds and food delivery vehicles operated unlawfully. In many cases, individuals were found using the app accounts of others or working without insurance, right-to-work clearance, or legal documentation. These practices not only violate employment and immigration laws but also endanger public safety and compromise standards within the gig economy.
A 2023 report by the Department for Transport and the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB) highlighted that up to 20% of delivery drivers in some regions may be working without proper legal status. The situation has drawn attention from regulators, delivery companies, and migrant support groups.
“EMEEN unequivocally condemns all forms of illegal employment activity, including by migrants who are not legally permitted to work in the UK and those involved in food delivery services. Respect for legal processes and employment standards is essential to ensure public trust, protect workers, and promote fair economic participation for all.” EMEEN
EMEEN continues to promote the economic empowerment of ethnic minority individuals who are legally allowed to work in the UK. Over the last three years, EMEEN has supported more than 450 job seekers and 350 entrepreneurs across Northern Ireland through free employment services, business mentoring, and policy advocacy.
EMEEN organised Northern Ireland’s first-ever Ethnic Minority Employment and Careers Conference, a landmark event focused on maximising the economic capacity of ethnic minority individuals currently living in the region. The conference brought together a wide range of stakeholders — including employers, policymakers, educators, and community leaders — to explore practical strategies for improving employment outcomes, building inclusive career pathways, and unlocking the underutilised potential of Northern Ireland’s diverse population. The event was well attended and widely supported, marking a significant step toward a more equitable and economically integrated future.
Finally EMEEN appeals to the legal authorities and enforcement agencies to take firm and coordinated action to clamp down on these unlawful practices, which risk undermining social order, trust, and fair opportunities for those who follow the legal path.
