Italy — Ekhbary News Agency
Delivery riders across multiple Italian cities initiated strikes on Wednesday, advocating for enhanced working conditions and robust protection against the relentless summer heat. This coordinated action follows a period of intense temperatures plaguing Europe, highlighting critical safety concerns for gig economy workers.
Milan Implements Delivery Restrictions
In Milan, city authorities previously announced limitations on bicycle-based delivery services, mandating a reduction or suspension of operations between 12:30 and 16:00 until September 23. Companies are urged to prioritize cooler hours for work and ensure water supplies, breaks, and refreshment areas are available on critical days. Riders for Glovo and Deliveroo in Milan are participating in evening stoppages, pushing for measures that safeguard both their health and wages. A union in the southern Spanish region of Andalusia recently voiced similar concerns, noting that existing summer protocols for Glovo riders proved inadequate with temperatures nearing 45C. This situation, for what it's worth, underscores a broader European challenge regarding worker safety in extreme weather.
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Union Calls for Comprehensive Worker Safeguards
Bologna saw riders switching off their apps and demonstrating in the city center, while Florence experienced a multi-hour work stoppage as temperatures there are forecast to hit 40C this week. Andrea Bacchin, a spokesperson for the Nildil Cgil trade union, emphasized the necessity for companies to allocate resources, ensuring riders do not suffer financial losses by avoiding dangerous working hours. He stated that solutions from both companies and local prefects are vital to "protect their health without forcing them to lose wages." Discussions are scheduled with labour ministry officials in Rome on Thursday to address social safety nets for these vulnerable workers. JustEat, however, confirmed its riders are not joining the strikes, citing ongoing negotiations with local unions for specific protective measures.
