On Valentine’s Day, delivery workers from major platforms such as Deliveroo, Uber Eats, and Just Eat went on strike in Dublin, joining a global movement demanding living wages. Organized by the English Language Students Union of Ireland (ELSU), the strike aimed to address the meager salaries of delivery workers.
Previously earning a minimum of 4.29 euros per delivery, wages have plummeted to below 2.15 euros, with some workers receiving as little as one euro per delivery. The strike, held from 5 pm to 10 pm, saw workers gathering at the Spire on O’Connell Street.
ELSU Labor Rights Officer Fiachra O’Luin emphasized that Valentine’s Day was chosen for the strike as an opportunity to show love and compassion to fellow human beings.
Responding to the strike, a Just Eat spokesperson stated the company’s commitment to addressing the concerns of self-employed delivery workers, pledging to consider the highest possible salaries on a competitive basis. Deliveroo and Uber Eats also expressed their commitment to providing better income, employment, and security for their riders.
The strike represents a united effort by delivery workers to secure fair wages and better working conditions, highlighting the challenges faced by those in the gig economy.
This global movement underscores the growing demand for fair compensation and improved conditions for delivery workers, emphasizing the need for industry-wide changes.