UK parcel delivery firm Evri has reached an agreement with the GMB Union to grant self-employed couriers access to paid sick leave. 

Under the new agreement, Evri’s eligible “self-employed plus” (SE+) couriers who are members of GMB Union will receive festive support payments of up to £950 for SE+ GMB Union members. They will also receive fully subsidised death, disability, accident and sickness insurance starting 25 January, which will provide financial protection against unforeseen circumstances. Additionally, SE+ couriers will have access to qualified accountants for assistance with VAT returns. 

“Securing sickness payments for thousands of couriers is a huge step forward,” Said Gill Ogilvie, GMB lead organiser, in a press release, 

Couriers not currently enrolled in the SE+ programme will be able to join from January 2025. The programme, launched in 2019, provides access to 28 days of paid holiday, guaranteed national minimum wage, pension contributions, parental leave and additional flexible benefits.  

In a statement to SIA, Evri, the firm said it was not able to provide an exact figure on the number of couriers enrolled in the programme but said it is a “significant proportion” of its courier network. 

“Our couriers are highly valued as the engine of our business,” said Evri CEO Martijn De Lange in a release. “This latest ground-breaking deal is a significant step forwards, demonstrating our commitment to supporting couriers financially and with a raft of protection and benefits, including sick pay for our SE+ workers, in an industry first.”