Nicosia, Cyprus. Local activists have launched an online fundraiser to support Cypriot Wolt drivers who held a one-week strike over what they described as precarious working conditions, raising almost €10,000.
Fundraiser aims and financial pressures
Organisers said that after a week of strike action, many drivers are behind on rent, food and basic needs. They added that some drivers have fallen behind on tuition fees and risk deportation if the costs are not covered.
Account deactivations and reactivation fee
Drivers said Wolt is demanding a €130 fee from each driver to reactivate accounts that were blocked during the strike. They said that without these accounts they cannot work, and alleged that drivers are still being removed from the platform in retaliation.
Speaking to the Cyprus Mail earlier in the week, the drivers said that as of Tuesday, 80 accounts had been deactivated.
Working conditions and safety concerns
The fundraiser states that delivery drivers in Cyprus are regularly targeted in racist attacks and theft. It also cites that 30 per cent of earnings are allocated to third-party companies that most drivers are employed by.
Drivers said overtime is unpaid and agreements are ignored.
Drivers’ demand on student work limits
Drivers said their first demand was for a 20-hour work limit to be enforced for student drivers, in line with Cypriot legislation, claiming they are currently forced to exceed this limit.
What do you think should be done to address the drivers’ concerns about account access and working conditions?
