World

Glovo CEO Óscar Pierre requests Barcelona court to dismiss criminal case on worker rights

Herz — World Desk · 13 July 2026 at 19:48 · 30s summary · 3 min read

The essentials

On July 13, 2026, Glovo CEO Óscar Pierre filed a motion requesting a Barcelona judge dismiss a criminal case for alleged worker rights violations. Pierre's defense criticizes what he calls 'predetermination and bias' by Spain's labor inspectorate, and denies violating their orders. Spain's Public Prosecutor accuses Pierre of maintaining riders as false independent contractors despite court rulings requiring employment status. An appeals court blocked further investigation, forcing the judge to either dismiss or refer Pierre for trial. The day before, Pierre announced Glovo would hire riders as employees, citing need for 'social peace,' though criminal proceedings continue.

Pierre requests Barcelona judge to dismiss criminal case for alleged worker rights violations
Defense attacks 'predetermination and bias' of Spain's labor inspection authority
Prosecutor alleges Pierre maintained riders as false independent contractors despite court rulings
Appeals court blocked case extension, forcing judge to choose dismissal or trial
Employment announcement day before filing has not stopped the criminal prosecution

Pencil and watercolour illustration of a man in a dark suit seated at the defence table in a Spanish courtroom, his lawyer beside him holding documents before a judge's bench. An orange delivery bag rests symbolically on a side table. — Illustration image — Lost in the Jungle

What we know

On July 13, 2026, Óscar Pierre, chief executive officer of Glovo, filed a motion with a Barcelona investigating judge requesting dismissal of a criminal case for alleged violation of worker rights, according to El País and the Efe news agency.

In his defense motion, drafted by criminal lawyer Cristóbal Martell, Pierre attacks what he characterizes as 'predetermination, bias, and vindictive intent' by the Inspección de Trabajo — Spain's labor inspection authority responsible for enforcing labor law and social security regulations. He cites motivations in the labor authority's complaints that he says are 'foreign to an impartial and neutral approach' in the matters that prompted Spain's Public Prosecutor to join the case.

Pierre also denies any violation of orders issued by the labor inspectorate.

predetermination, bias, and vindictive intent
— Óscar Pierre, Glovo CEO, in his defense motion filed July 13, 2026, regarding the labor inspectorate

What the public prosecutor alleges

Spain's Public Prosecutor accuses Pierre of maintaining his riders — the term used in Spain for bicycle and motorcycle couriers working for on-demand delivery platforms — under the status of autónomos (independent contractors under Spanish law), despite conclusions by the labor inspectorate and rulings by Spain's Supreme Court.

Those rulings established that Glovo's riders must be classified as employees. The term 'falsos autónomos' (false independent contractors) refers to individuals formally registered as independent but who actually work in a subordinate relationship constituting employment, exposing employers to both criminal prosecution and social security contribution adjustments.

Investigation constrained by appeals court

The Barcelona Provincial Court — the appellate jurisdiction with power to review decisions by criminal investigating judges — annulled the final extension of the investigation. The judge must now either dismiss the case if she deems evidence insufficient, or, if she finds adequate grounds, refer Pierre for trial.

Employment announcement has no effect on criminal proceedings

On July 12, 2026, the day before his appearance as the accused before the judge, Óscar Pierre announced that Glovo would change its business model to hire riders as employees, citing the need for 'social peace' and avoiding conflict with government authorities.

This announcement has had no impact on the ongoing criminal case, which follows its own judicial calendar.