Les cow-boys modernes

The EESC is hosting a photo exhibition entitled "Les cow-boys modernes" by the French photographer Frédéric Stucin.

Frédéric Stucin is a professional photographer who lives and works in Paris and has been working with various French media since 2002.

The series of photos focuses on the theme of new forms of employment, relating to the upcoming EESC opinion on Social dialogue as a tool to promote health and safety at work.

The virtual photo expo will be depicting cases such as Uber Eats, Deliveroo and other food delivery platform employees and the safety measurements adopted in new employment schemes of this type.

This virtual exhibition features a series of images and will be staged 100% virtually.

The online exhibition will run from 15 January to 15 February 2022, in connection with the French Presidency of the Council of the EU.



Short note by Frédéric Stucin:

"For a while now, we've been seeing Uber, Deliveroo and Frichti delivery drivers hurtling through the city day and night, on bikes and scooters. They remind me of those legendary riders delivering mail for the Pony Express in the US.

I was interested, and so I decided to go and meet them.

The people I met were determined and pleasant, despite working in extremely difficult conditions (being out in all weather, having to wait outside restaurants, paying their own transport costs and fines, coping with inconsiderate platforms and clients, accepting that they may be involved in an accident, and so on).
The platforms employing them speak confidently about flexibility, freedom and choosing your own hours. However, most of these workers are excluded from many basic labour rights (such as paid leave, minimum wage, social protection and unemployment benefits).There has been some progress, at least: some platforms offer a guaranteed minimum wage and places where drivers can wait and recharge their mobiles.
I glimpsed a little organised world, unstable as the work there may be. Groups of people order lunch and split the cost, for instance.
Drivers are generally very reluctant to have their photo taken, whether from shyness, modesty, fear or pride. But they're all keen to work and support their families.
With these pictures, I wanted to pay tribute to brave people who deserve our respect."