Parcel delivery firms have been warned they need to ensure they comply with the law.

The Isle of Man Post Office has exclusive licence for delivering letters but parcels are not subject to licence requirements.

A licence can also be given to a firm, with agreement from Treasury and the Post Office, to deliver a letter at a minimum cost of £7.50.

Economic Development Minister Laurence Skelly this week told Tynwald the DED met Post Office officials and concerns were raised then.

The matter was raised by Dr Alex Allinson (Ramsey), who said courier services often used people on a self-employed basis. He said it was ’essential that such workers have adequate car insurance and that customers are protected against loss or damage of their goods’.

Mr Skelly agreed. ’I believe we will want to take that up with the Post Office board and discuss if there is any action that does need to be taken,’ he said.

Earlier, Treasury Minister Alfred Cannan assured Dr Allinson his department would monitor the ’gig economy’ in which companies use workers on a self-employed basis, to save money on the likes of holiday and sick pay.