Delivery riders strike across Italian cities over heat and pay safeguards

Delivery riders in multiple Italian cities halted work on Wednesday to demand better protections during intense summer heat, while seeking measures to prevent earnings loss, city and union sources said. Milan, Bologna and Florence were among the centres of action as temperatures in parts of Italy climb toward 40C.

In Milan, authorities have already limited bicycle-based deliveries between 12:30 and 16:00 until 23 September and required water supplies, breaks and shaded rest areas on critical heat days. Riders for Glovo and Deliveroo staged evening stoppages to press for company commitments that would protect both health and pay, the Nildil Cgil union said.

Bologna riders switched off their apps and demonstrated in the city centre, while Florence saw a several-hour stoppage amid forecasts of near-40C conditions. In Tuscany, outdoor construction and agricultural work is barred between 12:30 and 16:00 when heat-stress risk is significant, though unions note many workers cannot afford to stop working during those hours.

Spanish unions in Andalusia raised similar concerns about Glovo’s summer protections as temperatures approached 45C, and classroom closures or timetable changes were reported in France after teachers’ unions highlighted heat-related working conditions. A European Trade Union Institute study estimates some 130 million European workers face heat stress at work each year.

Company responses were mixed: the BBC approached Glovo for comment on rider conditions in Spain and Italy, while JustEat said its riders were not joining Milan strikes as talks continue with local unions on targeted measures.

Liberal News Analysis: What Does This Development Mean?

The strikes underline a growing clash between platform-driven gig work and public health measures in extreme weather. Limiting delivery hours can reduce immediate heat risk, but without wage guarantees or compensatory funds, policies may push riders into financial hardship or shadow work hours. Long-term solutions likely require coordinated measures: temporary pay protection protocols, employer-funded rest and hydration facilities, and clearer statutory safeguards for heat exposure on digital platforms.

For cities, balancing public health rules with continuity of services means engaging both platforms and unions to design enforceable, monitored arrangements. For the platforms, transparent policies that avoid shifting costs entirely onto workers could reduce industrial disruption and reputational risk.

Hızlı Bakış: Bilmeniz Gerekenler

• Italian riders in Milan, Bologna and Florence stopped work to demand heat protections and compensation safeguards.
• Milan ordered bicycle-based deliveries cut between 12:30–16:00 until 23 September, with required water and rest areas on critical days.
• European research estimates 130 million workers face heat stress annually; similar disputes reported in Spain and France.