A strike by Wolt delivery riders that began in Limassol on Friday has spread to Nicosia, with hundreds of drivers now participating across both cities.
The strike, which continued throughout the weekend and was still ongoing as of Monday 23 March, has moved beyond a pay dispute. Riders are alleging that fleet companies have suspended or closed the work accounts of striking drivers since 22 March, a move they describe as deliberate retaliation against those participating in the action. They have called on the Department of Labour to intervene and ensure all suspended accounts are reinstated, and that no rider is penalised for striking.
A Cypriot driver who has worked for Wolt for several years, and who spoke to in-cyprus on condition of anonymity fearing reprisals, described his experience from his employment conditions in the platform. Like most Wolt riders, he said, he works through a fleet manager rather than directly for the company. The fleet manager takes a 10% cut of his earnings, he pays his own social insurance with no contribution from the company, and the cost of his work equipment (delivery box and jacket) is deducted directly from his wages.
Pay rates, he said, have been cut sharply since late 2025 — in some cases halved. He now earns €1.10 to deliver an order covering three kilometres. Before the cuts, he could complete up to 25 orders a day and earn as much as €100. Now he makes between €40 and €50.
Rising fuel costs tied to the war in Iran have compounded the pressure. “Here at our neighbourhood, gas prices have risen to €1.39. This is the cheapest price,” he said. “I live in Palouriotissa and get many delivery orders from the Mall of Cyprus in Latsia. To go from Palouriotissa to Latsia I need two euros. It’s not worth it. I prefer to stay home. I’m trying to look for another job.”
The driver said he has not joined the picket line outside Wolt’s Nicosia offices despite supporting the strike. He said other strikers warned him that unknown individuals have been photographing protesters and using the images to identify and close their work accounts. Those allegations have been corroborated by multiple strikers, both Cypriot and migrant workers, who spoke to in-cyprus. They said they intend to file complaints with the police.
The riders have set out specific demands in a formal submission: a minimum of €2.50 per order, €0.80 per kilometre travelled, and a waiting charge of €1 for the first 15 minutes at a restaurant, rising to €0.10 per minute thereafter. They said they are prepared to negotiate but will continue the strike until fair payment conditions are in place. They also called for improvements to Wolt’s rider support system, saying drivers currently wait 20 to 30 minutes for a response when facing delivery issues.
In a statement issued on Friday, Wolt described the action as a local mobilisation involving a limited number of riders and said it was already in contact with riders’ representatives to hear their concerns, primarily around pay. It also condemned all forms of violence against riders.
The drivers’ accounts raise questions about the implementation of the collective agreement signed in July 2024 — the first to formally regulate labour rights for workers in the sector. That agreement, negotiated between SEK, PEO and DEOK trade unions and employer representatives at the Ministry of Labour, required employers to provide riders with essential work equipment at their own expense and established minimum wage standards.
The driver who spoke to in-cyprus said equipment costs are being deducted from his wages, and, that according to the agreement he has with the fleet manager, no social insurance contributions are being made on his behalf.
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