Bolt and Wolt couriers in Malta to be unionised under new rules, says Reform Minister

Couriers working for food delivery platforms such as Bolt and Wolt in Malta will soon be required to form part of a union and be protected by a collective agreement, Employment Minister Byron Camilleri confirmed on Wednesday.

“In a recent meeting, I was informed that the next step is that every worker in the sector and their platform will be part of a union and protected by a collective agreement. This is a positive step,” the Minister said in a statement.

The measure is part of ongoing reforms to regulate working conditions in the platform economy, particularly within the food delivery and transport sectors, which have grown significantly in recent years.

“We will continue to insist that in our country there is no room for any abuse and that we have a level playing field among all workers. We will remain vigilant,” Dr Camilleri said, noting that the Government has been “very firm” with both the platforms and the fleets directly employing couriers.

“We have been clear that there is no room for abuse, and we even refused new applications,” he added.

A sector heavily reliant on foreign workers

The development comes against the backdrop of major shifts in Malta’s labour market.

The wholesale, retail, transport, accommodation, and food sector – which encompasses couriers, cab drivers, and restaurant staff – has become the backbone of employment for foreign workers.

Between 2013 and 2023, this sector registered the largest increase in third-country national (TCN) employment, with 24,570 additional jobs filled by these workers. This accounted for 33.9 per cent of all TCN employment in Malta by 2023, underlining the sector’s dependence on this demographic.

The same sector also employs the highest number of EU nationals, with 5,763 more workers joining over the decade.

By contrast, Maltese workers have increasingly exited the industry. Over the same 10-year period, 2,751 locals left the sector – the second-largest drop after manufacturing.

The move to unionise couriers is seen as part of Malta’s effort to address longstanding concerns over working conditions in the gig economy, particularly in industries where foreign workers make up the overwhelming majority of the workforce.

The collective agreement requirement is expected to establish clearer protections for workers while enforcing a “level playing field” among employers.