Are the couriers who drive for us really who they say they are? And are they really allowed to work for us? We check this efficiently and carefully – with the help of DataChecker.” These are the questions asked by Thijs Hoogenstrijd, Sustainability & Compliance Lead at parcel delivery service Budbee. He explains why this check is essential for his organization. And why DataChecker was asked for help.
Budbee, part of the Instabee Group, does not employ its own couriers. “We use subcontractors,” says Thijs. “They have the drivers under contract who deliver our packages.” As the direct employer of the driver, these subcontractors are legally obliged to check whether their employees are who they say they are. And whether they have the right to work in the Dutch transport sector (Right to Work). “But this responsibility does not stop with them: we also have to check the identity and employment documentation of all couriers who drive for us – even if they are not directly employed by us as employees. This is stated in the Chain Liability Act.”
Building a future
The Chain Liability Act is just one reason for Budbee to check drivers. Thijs: “We would have done that even without that law. We want to contribute to a transport sector without abuses.” What abuses is he referring to? “Couriers who are working illegally, have no legal protection and therefore fall victim to poor working conditions or exploitation. This has happened in the sector, may still happen and must be countered or prevented with all our might.” Budbee therefore ensures that its parcel delivery is at least sound. This falls under sustainability, one of its essential values.
“Unfortunately, it is not enough for subcontractors to say that they have checked everyone and that everything is in order. Even if they have good intentions, they lack the expertise to check someone’s identity and Right to Work.” That is why Budbee started looking for a service provider that did have this expertise in 2023, not long after entering the Dutch market. “Of the ten companies we spoke to, most could only check identities. However, DataChecker could also assess Right to Work. And they were the only ones who worked with an online platform where we did not have to enter anything manually. That made them exactly what we were looking for.”
Just give us a call
“DataChecker checks couriers before they start working for us,” says Thijs. “Each driver receives a secure link to the well-secured DataChecker platform. There they see an explanation of what they have to do: from entering personal data to uploading a selfie. Once they have done this, DataChecker uses its software to verify their identity and Right to Work.” Couriers for whom everything is correct receive a check mark: ‘identification and verification successful’. “Only when we see this in our system, which is linked to the DataChecker platform, can drivers be scheduled for a delivery round. They then receive a route number from us.”
The verification process is not over yet. “The couriers then have to show their passport or ID on the first day of their employment. And then they have to state their route number and show their driver’s license before the start of each delivery round.” These parts of the identification and verification process are in the hands of Budbee itself, says Thijs. “DataChecker only focuses on the first part, required for planning delivery rounds: the online ID and Right to Work check.” During this DataChecker check, couriers can use the chat function on the platform if they have any questions. And if you prefer to call the DataChecker Support Team, that is also possible.
Preventive function
The couriers reacted without resistance or surprise when Budbee told them about the new checking procedure. “Many were already familiar with such checks at other delivery services, such as PostNL, where they also worked. They appreciated that we now showed the same level of professionalism.” So far, all couriers have successfully completed the identification and verification process. “Sometimes they get stuck, for example because of a selfie that is too dark or because they are unclear about how to enter something. But in such rare cases, DataChecker offers immediate help.” With the upcoming software update, Thijs expects that these types of problems will decrease further. “The expectation is that the platform will become even more user-friendly.”
Is he surprised that no couriers have been rejected? “No, not really. If subcontractors already had drivers working illegally, they are now extra careful. They know that our new procedure will filter them out. So the identity and Right-to-Work checks work preventively.”
Developing expertise
“We have been working with DataChecker since December 2023 and are very satisfied,” says Thijs. “To start with, about the technical preparation: the connection of their platform to our system. That connection was fast and adequate. The same applies to the identification and verification process. And to the way in which their Support Team answers questions – whether they come from couriers or from us.” An example of such a question? “Whether the way in which DataChecker collects personal data is actually permitted under the privacy law. DataChecker explained in detail that this was indeed permitted, as long as it serves our compliance with the Liability Act. They also made it clear that they collect information according to the highest data privacy standards.”
The satisfaction is so great that the Instabee Group may plan to expand the collaboration with DataChecker to other countries where it operates. In particular to Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Norway. “Unlike the Netherlands, these countries have not legally established chain liability. But our organization finds it important to apply the same strict controls and verification processes there; to also tackle and prevent abuses in the sector there.” DataChecker does not currently offer a Right to Work check in Scandinavian countries. “But they can develop this expertise in collaboration with us. That way we can continue to grow together.”
