PostNL has unveiled plans to recruit thousands of parcel delivery staff over the next few years.
The company intends to improve three elements in its way of working: launching as many permanent contracts as possible, initiating longstanding partnerships and supporting more climate-friendly delivery. The company aims to ensure that eventually at least half of all parcels will be delivered by employed staff, which currently number 1,900 and should grow to around 6,000. Meanwhile, delivery partners will be actively encouraged to grow, to further professionalize and increase the sustainability of their services. For parcel deliverers working at delivery partners, permanent contracts remain the standard as well.
In 2015, all self-employed workers were invited to accept permanent contracts with PostNL. Collective labor agreements (CLAs) are the standard for all people working at and for the company, and all postmen and women are offered a permanent contract when they join. In addition, PostNL cooperates closely with sheltered workplace companies across the country to offer work to some 1,600 people who face challenges in the labor market.
The company has also stated that the growth of the parcel market requires social developments and changes in terms of labor and sustainability, and also demands adjustments in the way PostNL works with its delivery partners. In turn, the company plans to support its 500 delivery partners to scale up. Reportedly, this is because PostNL thinks that larger companies typically have more leeway to invest in electrified transport, charging infrastructure and other climate-friendly measures. In addition, PostNL will help pay for the extra costs of electric parcel vans, offering a one-off bonus of €2,000 (US$1,900) per electric parcel van ordered in 2022.
