What was changed
ShopeeFood, Vietnam's second-largest food delivery platform with over 50,000 gig workers, enforced a non-compete clause banning drivers from working for rivals during their contract and for 12 months after.
Drivers were forced to carry two phones to multi-app, risking permanent bans if detected. Rest of World reported on the practice and contacted Sea Group for comment.
On March 27, 2024, days after the media inquiry, ShopeeFood removed the clause, telling drivers the change aimed to 'create positive conditions for the drivers.'
What it achieved
Removed legal and reputational risk; improved driver relations and flexibility
Why it worked
Media exposure created reputational pressure on Sea Group.
The clause was legally uncertain in Vietnam and criticized by labor researchers as unfair without guaranteed minimum wages.
Driver backlash and multi-apping workarounds made enforcement difficult.
What can be applied
Public scrutiny can force platform companies to abandon exploitative labor practices even without regulatory action.
Aftermath
ShopeeFood replaced the non-compete with a code-of-conduct requirement; Grab and other platforms in Vietnam still maintain restrictive terms. Labor advocates continue pushing for regulation.
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The sources
- ShopeeFood drops noncompete clause after Rest of World reporting restofworld.org