Thousands of delivery drivers in Spain who have been working with the food delivery app Glovo are set to become full employees. This significant decision comes after years of pressure from the Spanish government to provide app-based drivers with labor contracts. In a statement, Glovo's Berlin-based parent company, Delivery Hero, explained that the move from a freelance model to an employment-based one is aimed at avoiding legal uncertainties. It is anticipated that this change will result in a related 100 million euro ($105 million) hit to earnings in 2025. Spain had previously fined Glovo in 2022 and 2023 for violating labor laws. The labor ministry at that time stated that the company was punished for not contracting its drivers as employees and for giving gigs to immigrants without proper documentation and work permits. Labor Minister Yolanda Díaz expressed her approval on Monday, stating that no company, regardless of its size or power, can impose itself on democracy. In 2021, Díaz successfully advocated for a new "Riders Law" that classified food delivery riders as employees of the digital platforms they work for, rather than self-employed freelancers. Glovo operates in over 20 countries, with the majority being in Europe.

Impact on Glovo's Earnings

The shift from a freelance to an employment-based model by Glovo is expected to have a substantial impact on the company's earnings. With an anticipated 100 million euro ($105 million) hit in 2025, this decision comes with financial implications. It shows Glovo's commitment to complying with labor laws and addressing the concerns raised by the Spanish government. By providing full employment to its delivery drivers, Glovo aims to create a more stable and secure working environment. This move also reflects the changing landscape of the gig economy and the increasing recognition of the rights and welfare of workers.

Legal Ramifications

The fines imposed on Glovo in 2022 and 2023 for violating labor laws highlight the importance of compliance in the gig economy. These legal actions served as a wake-up call for Glovo and other similar companies, forcing them to reevaluate their business models. The new employment-based model not only addresses the legal uncertainties but also provides drivers with the benefits and protections they deserve. It ensures that drivers are entitled to minimum wages, social security, and other labor rights. This shift in legal status also has implications for the overall labor market and the treatment of workers in the digital platform economy.

Global Expansion and Labor Practices

Glovo's operation in over 20 countries, with a significant presence in Europe, raises questions about labor practices across different regions. As the company expands globally, it faces the challenge of adapting to local labor laws and regulations. The decision to make delivery drivers full employees in Spain sets an example for other countries where Glovo operates. It shows that the company is willing to take responsibility for the well-being of its workers and comply with labor standards. This move also highlights the need for a more standardized approach to labor practices in the gig economy across different countries. It prompts discussions and potential policy changes to ensure that workers are treated fairly regardless of their employment status.

Threshold, an indie game that has been generating quite a buzz, takes players on a unique journey. In this game, you assume the role of the new "yellow clerk" stationed at a train station high on a mountain. The altitude is so great that it's difficult to breathe, and as a result, the clerk training you resorts to writing down instructions instead of speaking.

Your Mundane Yet Intriguing Job

Your daily tasks are both strange and basic. There's a train that needs to maintain a specific speed, indicated by a colored light. If the train goes off track, you can use a Half Life 2-looking whistle machine to bring it back on pace. Additionally, you're responsible for cleaning out the gunk that accumulates at the end of a river and depositing it in a machine. For completing these tasks, you're rewarded with punchcards that can be used to purchase air canisters. These canisters are made of glass due to the altitude, and biting them creates a dramatic crunching sound while filling your mouth with blood in the corner of the screen.The game's trailer initially gives the impression of high energy, but in reality, during most of its short playtime, it moves at a relatively slow pace. Although the need for air canisters adds some pressure, it's quite easy to keep yourself supplied. For a significant portion of the game, you simply focus on your job - wandering from the river to the dumping place and rushing to the whistle machine when you hear the train slowing. You have enough downtime to watch the punchcard machine print your air tickets, and this downtime also allows you to start exploring the station, which is where the real strangeness begins.

The Mysterious Queries

Threshold gradually prompts you to start asking questions. You wonder about the whistle - what's its purpose? What lies behind the dam? What happened to the previous yellow clerk? Why are some of the buildings broken? Where did the fish in the river come from? And what's inside the train? You explore these questions by observing and poking around. Clues lead to more clues, and it's easy to miss things. If you want to uncover everything, multiple playthroughs are necessary, but with a playtime of about an hour per run, it's not too burdensome. The more you find and piece together, the stranger and more oppressive the game becomes.

Unanswered Questions and Personal Interpretations

After finishing Threshold, you might find yourself searching the internet for some kind of consensus about its meaning. However, there doesn't seem to be a clear answer. (The game claims to be based on a "true story," but its true nature remains a mystery.) There are numerous possibilities for what the game could be a metaphor for or a commentary on, and you'll likely find yourself agreeing and disagreeing with different interpretations. The more you think about it, the more you appreciate what the game is doing - how much lies beneath its surface and how, for every question it answers, it leaves even more unanswered, allowing you to bring your own perspective to it. You'll feel uneasy about everything you did in the game, from following your routine to deviating from it. You still won't know if you should have trusted the characters or made the right choices, whether it's regarding the multiple endings or the opaque country-based difficulty system.

The Emotional Impact

Initially, you might have been worried that Threshold would be too scary for you as an inveterate wuss. But in reality, it's more unsettling than truly horrifying. (It was a relief to find a Steam discussion from the creator reassuring players that there are no jump scares, although there are a few mildly startling moments, and the Steam page warns of the "presence of dead bodies.") Despite this, you still enjoyed your time with the game. Watching other players ponder and evaluate the strange experience has added to your enjoyment. It's a game that leaves a lasting impression and makes you think deeply about its themes and messages.Please play Threshold so that you can share your thoughts and interpretations with me. It's a game that offers a unique and thought-provoking experience.