The operator reached out to Lovin Malta in the wake of a strike among Bolt Food couriers over massive decreases in their earnings and other disputes with the food courier company.

The food courier industry – mainly dominated by Wolt and Bolt – surged in popularity in Malta during the COVID-19 pandemic, keeping countless businesses afloat, and it has remained very much active following the end of restrictions on restaurants and social gatherings.

However, the industry has been criticised for the working conditions of certain couriers. While EU nationals can be self-employed for the food courier apps and other platforms in the gig economy, third-country nationals must find employment through a fleet operator. 

A bulk of those striking were third-country-nationals employed through fleet agencies. And while there are many fair operators in the field, many cowboy operators, who take explorative fees and rates from their couriers, are creating major issues. 

The operator who spoke to Lovin Malta insisted that Bolt was being unfairly criticised for the issues that are currently erupting among couriers, stressing that it continues to promote and champion fair practices among the fleet operators. 

“There have been a lot of changes since December and Bolt is doing all it can to help out the legitimate operators,” he explained.

Rather, he said, the fault of certain couriers earning a reported €2.66 an hour should rest of the agencies they work for. He also stressed that as a fleet operator, he has never charged his couriers massive fees just to come to Malta.

Bolt’s general rates have remained the same and only changes to their bonus structures, which reportedly reflect the current demands of the market, have impacted certain courier’s take-home pay. But, the operator insists the issues being flagged are simply from what other operators are charging their couriers. 

Meanwhile, the operator also raised concerns as to why Wolt, another food courier company with the exact same model and rates, is put into a different basket than Bolt when many of the fleet operators with unfavourable conditions also work with that platform. 

However, he was still sceptical of the prices being quoted by couriers, insisting that the country also needed to recognise that there are certain couriers who are simply not fulfilling basic targets to be successful. 

“I’ve seen what they earn with Bolt’s rates and if they’re earning that much – they’re either not working the hours they’re quoting or there’s something wrong with their agency,” he said.

And while he stressed that a 40% to 50% rate from agencies was unfair on the couriers, people should also recognise that fleet operators provide free motorcycles, maintain them, pay VAT and NI, fork out Identity Malta fees, and also provide sick/vacation leave.

“We do a lot for the couriers in our fleet – and whenever they needed help or extra cash we were always happy to help them,” he said. 

Bolt Food has told Lovin Malta that it is working towards optimising its pricing to help increase earnings in the wake of the strike and has so far issued new terms and conditions.

The government has long pledged to address the issues surrounding platform workers. However, nothing has ever materialised in Malta with the EU now looking into the issue.

What did you think of the strike?