Food couriers to be guaranteed minimum wage, Robert Abela promises

Food couriers and other platform workers will be guaranteed a minimum wage, overtime pay, and sick leave under new rules, Robert Abela has promised.

In a statement, the prime minister said the new regulations will be detailed in the coming days after a framework was recently approved by cabinet.

He said the rules would regulate work contracts so that a platform worker's salary cannot be less than the minimum wage.

It follows reports exposing the working conditions of food delivery drivers and after Malta was given a deadline to adopt an EU law on working conditions. 

Hundreds of food couriers living in Malta went on strike in July, likening their working conditions to slavery. 

A group of Indian former Bolt food couriers described how they were unable to make the minimum wage, despite working 80-hour weeks. 

At the moment, opetaros like Wolt and Bolt pay couriers per delivery and do not directly employ delivery drivers.  

Instead, they subcontract work either to independent contractors, namely EU nationals who casually work on the platform, or employment agencies who recruit non-EU workers. 

In both cases, couriers have said this has led to abusive practices and sub-standard...