Italian riders strike as heatwave exposes gig pay gaps

Delivery riders for platforms including Glovo and Deliveroo will halt work across several Italian cities on Wednesday to demand protection from extreme summer heat. In Florence, where temperatures are forecast to reach 40C this week, riders will stop working for several hours. Those in Bologna plan to switch off their apps and demonstrate in the city centre, while Milan riders will walk out during the evening.

The industrial action highlights a structural flaw in the gig economy model as climate change makes outdoor labour increasingly dangerous. Milan city authorities have already ordered companies using bicycle-based delivery platforms to suspend or reduce dispatches between 12:30 and 16:00 until 23 September. On critical days, platforms must prioritise cooler periods and provide mandatory water, breaks and refreshment areas.

However, restricting work hours directly threatens the income of riders who are typically paid per delivery. The Nildil Cgil trade union argues that municipal heat mandates must be paired with financial guarantees. Spokesman Andrea Bacchin said delivery riders need solutions from both the platforms and the Milan prefect that will "protect their health without forcing them to lose wages."

The same tension is playing out across the broader European economy. Research by the European Trade Union Institute suggests 130 million European workers are exposed to heat stress annually. In Spain's Andalusia region, unions complained this week that Glovo's summer safety protocols are wholly insufficient when temperatures approach 45C. In France, teachers' unions recently urged members to strike over extreme heat in classrooms and during exams, a move that forced thousands of schools to close or alter their schedules.

The varying corporate responses suggest a fragmented approach to a systemic risk. JustEat confirmed its riders are not participating in the Italian strikes, stating that discussions on specific measures are already underway with local unions. Glovo declined to immediately comment on the situation in Spain and Italy. Union officials are now pushing for a coordinated policy response, with talks on social safety nets scheduled with labour ministry officials in Rome on Thursday.