ROME - Just Eat said on Tuesday it would hire some 4,000 riders in Italy in order to comply with a decision by an Italian prosecutor aimed at improving conditions for workers of the gig economy.

A Milan prosecutor in February fined the Italian units of food ordering companies Uber Eats, Just Eat and Deliveroo and Spanish food delivery app Foodinho-Glovo and said they had to put more than 60,000 workers on an official contract. 

The decision came at the end of an investigation, launched in July 2019 after riders had been involved in several road accidents, showing inadequate and unsafe working conditions.

So far, Just Eat, which comes under parent company Just Eat Takeway.com, is the only one to have complied with the request by the Italian prosecutor of hiring the workers.

With a surge in the use of delivery apps, the rights of people working for "gig economy" service companies have been an increasing focus across Europe.

Companies are coming under pressure to improve conditions, turning away from a model where most workers are self-employed, as people working for them demand recognition as salaried staff rather than just being freelancers.

Just Eat will put the riders in Italy on a national contract specifically designed for workers in the transport, delivery and logistics industry, which will grant them paid holidays, sick leave, social security, insurance as well as union representation.

The minimum wage will be 8.50 euros per hour.

Those on the contract will be reimbursed for the distance travelled during work should they use their own bicycle or scooter and be given equipment like helmets and riding vests.

The contract conditions have been adapted to the needs of the food delivery sector and the accord has been signed with Italy's largest sector unions, FILT CGIL, FIT-CISL and UIL Transporti.

"We are satisfied of the positive result which is the testimony of wanting to approach in a constructive sustainable way the growth in the sector, so that all players will benefit, starting from riders, but including restaurants and operators," Just Eat Italy Country Manager Daniele Contini said in a statement.

The company has been operating in Italy for 10 years, in more than 1,200 towns and with over 21,000 partner restaurants, it added.

(Reporting by Giulia Segreti; Editing by Bernadette Baum) ((Giulia.Segreti@tr.com; +39.06.80307714;))