Delivery riders are set to strike in several Italian cities on Wednesday, demanding better working conditions amid scorching summer temperatures.
In Milan, city authorities have limited deliveries during the hottest hours of the day until September. Riders working for Glovo and Deliveroo will halt work in the evening to call for measures to protect their wages and health.
In Bologna, riders will switch off their apps and demonstrate in the city center, while in Florence, a similar stoppage is planned for several hours, with temperatures expected to hit 40°C this week.
Italy is not the only European country where workers have demanded better conditions during heatwaves. Research by the European Trade Union Institute suggests 130 million European workers are exposed to heat stress at work each year.
A union in Spain's southern Andalusia region complained this week that protections for Glovo delivery riders under the company's summer protocol were insufficient when temperatures approached 45°C.
In France, teachers' unions last month urged members to exercise their right to strike where necessary, following a series of complaints about working conditions in classrooms and during school exams. Thousands of schools closed or changed timetables in response to high temperatures.
Milan authorities announced last month that companies using bicycle-based delivery services via digital platforms should reduce or suspend deliveries between 12:30 and 16:00 until September 23, and prioritize work during cooler hours. Water supplies, breaks, and refreshment areas are also required on critical days.
However, the Nildil Cgil trade union believes companies need to allocate resources to ensure workers are not out of pocket. Spokesman Andrea Bacchin says delivery riders need solutions from both companies and the Milan prefect that will "protect their health without forcing them to lose wages."
In Florence and the rest of Tuscany, work is banned on outdoor building sites and in agriculture from 12:30 to 16:00 if heat stress poses significant risks to workers' health. Union officials complain few workers can afford to stop working during the hottest hours.
Unions are due to discuss social safety nets with labor ministry officials in Rome on Thursday. The BBC has approached Glovo for comment regarding issues affecting its riders in Spain and Italy.
Meanwhile, JustEat has said its riders are not taking part in the strikes in Milan or elsewhere, as discussions are underway with local unions on coming up with specific measures where necessary.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk