Trade union federation FNV has challenged postal delivery firm PostNL to either formally employ its freelance delivery workers or allow them to work for other delivery firms.

The union says the company is getting round employment law by employing thousands of ‘freelance’ delivery staff.

Despite being technically self-employed, which means they are not entitled to sick pay, holiday pay or pension contributions, the workers are only allowed to work for PostNL, the union says. They also have to buy their own uniform and pay rates are non-negotiable.

The union has written to PostNL calling for talks to start before May 7. The union says it wants PostNL to either formally employ its freelance delivery staff or to allow them to work for other companies within a three year period.

PostNL said in a reaction it would meet the union shortly and that it shared some of the concerns, news agency AFN reported.