Argentina delivery riders burdened by platform loans with interest up to 700% annual

Argentina’s gig‑economy is seeing a rapid escalation of debt among delivery riders who obtain credit directly from the platforms they work for. A Banco Central de la República Argentina (BCRA) report shows the number of platform‑issued borrowers rose 122% in 2025, with average indebtedness of about 900,000 pesos per rider. The loans carry annualised rates that can reach 700%, according to the riders’ union Sitrarepa. Platforms such as Pedidos Ya have supplied tens of thousands of credits, often without traditional credit checks, using data on order volume, acceptance rates and platform tenure to assess risk.

Workers use the funds mainly for vehicle purchase or repair, phone devices and other tools needed to keep delivering, but the high cost forces many to extend shifts to 10‑12 hours daily to meet repayments. Union secretary Belén D’Ambrosio warned that “the situation is one of great dependence on the companies,” and called for state regulation of this employer‑creditor model. The BCRA highlighted that independent workers represent 54% of borrowers and hold 62% of the total loan balance, underscoring the systemic nature of the problem.