DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (AP) – Food-delivery workers across Dubai protesting meager pay and inadequate protections have walked off the job across the city, the company confirmed yesterday, marking the second strike in as many weeks.
The foreign workers contracted by Talabat, the Middle East unit of Delivery Hero, began their walkout late on Monday after organising on social media, crippling the application’s services.
As fuel prices surge, many said they were pressing for a modest pay increase from their current rate of USD2.04 per delivery – a wage less than what sparked another extremely rare strike among contractors for delivery service Deliveroo last week.
Deliveroo drivers make USD2.79 per delivery after the walkout forced the United Kingdom (UK) – based company to backtrack on its plans to cut workers’ pay and extend their hours.
Videos shared on social media showed scores of Talabat riders gathering in lots beside their parked motorcycles at dawn. It was not clear how many riders took part in the strike, which caused Talabat to acknowledge some “operational delays” yesterday.
Talabat, owned by Germany-based Delivery Hero, confirmed the work stoppage in a statement to The Associated Press, saying the company was “committed to ensuring riders can continue to rely on our platform to provide for their families.”
