Bolt couriers slam ‘unfair’ move to dismiss self-employed workers

Self-employed couriers working with Bolt Food say the company’s decision to dismiss them was “completely unexpected” and unfair to Maltese and EU citizens.

Bolt sent an e-mail on Monday to its self-employed drivers, telling them that their agreements were being terminated in 30 days because the company has decided to only cooperate with couriers employed by agencies. 

The Estonian-based transport company provided no explanation for the decision, saying only that it was due to “business reasons”.

The drivers were informed that if they want to continue to work with the company, they must register as an employee of a work agency.

The change mostly affects Maltese and EU nationals as those working from outside the EU, known as third-country nationals, are typically hired through an agency.

One Gozitan courier said he would have to pay a fee of €75 to a work agency for them to register him to work for Bolt.

“That would add up to close to €3,000 a year. it just doesn’t make sense,” he said.

“All the self-employed drivers I know are angry by this change. A third-country national driver parked next to me earlier today and said I am a local but I’m being treated like a third-country...