The New Face of Debt in the Argentine Delivery Sector

Report Date: July 11, 2026.

The boom of delivery apps in Argentina, such as PedidosYa and Rappi, has not only transformed consumer habits but also altered the labor and financial relationship of the riders. According to information gathered by various local media outlets, a worrying trend is gaining momentum: workers are reportedly requesting loans directly from the platforms they work for.

The average debts could reach the figure of 1 million Argentine pesos (ARS). In the local context, this is a significant amount that puts unions and the workers themselves on alert, as a substantial portion of their income goes toward paying installments and interest.

The Call for Interest Rate Regulation

Faced with this situation, representatives of platform workers are requesting that authorities regulate the interest rates applied to these loans. The central argument is that apps hold a dominant position over the riders, acting simultaneously as employers (or work providers) and financial entities, which could generate a vicious cycle of economic dependency.

Economic Context

This scenario occurs in a context where access to traditional formal credit can be complex for workers who do not have a conventionally registered dependent labor relationship. Platforms have found in granting advances or loans a way to retain riders, but also to increase their profitability through generated interest. However, there is hope that this growing visibility will lead to fairer financial ecosystems for gig workers.

The debate on financing in the gig economy is just beginning, and the regulation of these practices is expected to become a central topic in discussions about the future of digital work in the country, paving the way for better labor protections.