Wolt delivery riders in Limassol launched industrial action on Friday over what they describe as continuously falling pay rates, with those involved saying fares have been cut steadily since 2021.
The riders, who are presenting themselves as a collective and have asked to remain anonymous, said the action involves riders across Limassol. They said it will continue and may expand to other cities across Cyprus if Wolt does not respond to their concerns.
“This is both a strike and a protest,” a spokesperson for the riders said. “Drivers are not only stopping work but also raising their voices to bring attention to the issue. The protest is ongoing in Limassol and other areas where drivers are active.”
The riders said pay rates have declined consistently since 2021.
The riders described themselves as mostly young workers putting in long hours daily.
The riders also raised safety concerns, saying that drivers working at night have faced harassment and physical attacks, and that in some cases people have taken orders and damaged their bikes.
The concerns echo a pattern of violence that has targeted delivery riders across Cyprus in recent years. In 2024, the government announced a package of security measures after authorities recorded dozens of attacks on delivery workers that year, the majority of them in Limassol. Police increased patrols in high-risk areas and introduced a registration system allowing riders to alert emergency services directly through the 112 number.
Wolt described the action as a local mobilisation involving a limited number of riders, and said the platform remains operational, though some delays are possible at certain times. The company told in-cyprus it is already in contact with riders’ representatives to hear their concerns, primarily around pay.
Wolt said it works with more than 3,000 riders in Cyprus, and that those operating through third-party fleet management companies are covered by a collective agreement in force since July 2024, approved with trade union participation and under Labour Ministry supervision.
The company also addressed the safety issue directly. “We condemn all forms of violence against riders and have maintained ongoing cooperation and communication with the relevant authorities on racist incidents for at least the past two years,” Wolt said. “At Wolt we always stand by our partners, through dialogue and mutual respect, with the goal of a fair and safe environment for everyone.”
The General Secretary of the Hotel Employees’ Union (SYXKA) of PEO, Neofytos Timinis, confirmed that PEO was informed of the industrial action by a group of workers outside its offices and is making efforts to find out more about their demands. Timinis noted that a collective agreement covering workers in the sector is currently in force and is due to expire in July 2026, at which point renewal discussions will begin.
(File photo)
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