Cyriel Ruers was interviewed live on BNR Nieuwsradio to comment on the cartel fine imposed by the European Commission on two meal delivery companies. The German company Delivery Hero and the Spanish company Glovo, now part of the same group, have been fined €329 million for prohibited cartel agreements. Among other things, the two companies had agreed not to poach each other's staff.
Cyriel commented that such conduct ‘restricts employees, as they have fewer opportunities to switch to another employer where they might be offered better conditions or better development opportunities.’
From the perspective of employers, the labour market is a purchasing market, Cyriel explains: ‘Companies buy labour, and cartel agreements can also occur in a purchasing market.’
This is the first time that the European Commission has imposed a fine for a so-called no-poaching agreement. This case therefore constitutes a legal first in the enforcement of competition law on EU level with regard to labour market sharing agreements between competitors. In addition, the companies also made prohibited agreements on geographical market sharing and exchanged competitively sensitive information via the minority interest that Delivery Hero held in Glovo prior to the full acquisition.
The broadcast can be listened to here.
Follow Maverick Advocaten on LinkedIn
