As a sweltering heatwave grips Italy, delivery riders from major cities like Milan, Bologna, and Florence have taken to the streets - or rather, temporarily halted their deliveries - to protest working conditions that they claim are putting their health at risk. The industrial action is part of a broader European trend where workers are demanding better protection against heat stress, with an estimated 130 million EU workers exposed annually.
In Milan, where city authorities have imposed reduced or suspended delivery restrictions for bicycle-based digital platform services until September, riders for companies like Glovo and Deliveroo are halting work this evening. The Nildil Cgil trade union argues that despite these measures, companies must allocate resources to prevent workers from facing a loss of income. Andrea Bacchin, a union spokesman, stressed the need for solutions from both companies and local prefects to "protect their health without forcing them to lose wages."
Similar actions are taking place in other major cities, with riders switching off their apps and planning demonstrations in Bologna's city centre. In Florence, where temperatures are expected to reach 40C, a multi-hour stoppage is underway. The concerns echo those in other sectors and regions; for instance, outdoor construction and agricultural work has been prohibited between 12:30 and 16:00 in the wider Tuscany region due to heat stress risks.
The industrial action is part of a growing chorus of complaints from workers across Europe, where temperatures are soaring. Recent weeks have seen similar protests in Spain, where a union in Andalusia criticised Glovo's summer protocols as insufficient given temperatures nearing 45C. In France, teachers' unions encouraged strike action last month due to complaints about classroom conditions during high temperatures, leading to many schools closing or altering timetables.
The unions involved are scheduled to meet with labour ministry officials in Rome tomorrow to discuss the implementation of social safety nets for workers affected by extreme weather conditions. While Glovo has been approached for comment regarding its riders in Spain and Italy, JustEat has stated that its riders are not participating in the current strikes, as discussions are ongoing with local unions to establish specific protective measures where necessary.