Italian delivery riders are striking across major cities to demand better working conditions amid a sweltering summer heatwave.
In Milan, city officials have already limited deliveries between 12:30 and 16:00 during severe heat days, and riders for Glovo and Deliveroo plan to halt late‑afternoon work on Wednesday as a protest for both wages and cooling measures.
Bologna will see riders shut down their apps and demonstrate in the city centre, while Florence will have a similar three‑hour stoppage as temperatures are expected to reach 40°C this week.
The strike is not simply about pay. Union spokesperson Andrea Bacchin says riders need resources from both companies and city officials “to protect their health without forcing them to lose wages.”
Heat stress remains a wide‑ranging issue in Europe. The European Trade Union Institute estimates 130 million workers face workplace heat each year. In Andalusia, Spanish unions criticized Glovo’s summer protocol for failing riders as temperatures approach 45°C.
France’s teachers’ unions also plan to strike over classroom heat and exam conditions, with thousands of schools closing to prevent a heat‑related health crisis.
Glovo has yet to comment on the strike, while JustEat says its riders are not participating, as negotiations continue with local unions.
