Stolen bikes, declining pay, and freezing weather conditions – Dublin’s delivery drivers cannot catch a break.

This Valentine’s Day, delivery drivers who work for Deliveroo, UberEats and JustEat in Dublin are going on strike. A union representing the workers says that payment has dropped to as little as €1 per order. Riders have said that their payment per delivery has decreased over time, with many struggling to pay off loans for bicycles they’ve purchased to do the job. The action will coincide with protests across the UK and US.

In a statement to the Irish Independent, Fiachra Ó Luain, labour rights’ officer for the English Language Students’ Union of Ireland, said, “This is an opportunity to stand up for the rights of our children, as well as the most exploited workers we see day to day on the streets of Dublin and other Irish cities.

According to Mr Ó Luain, the minimum payment per delivery here in Ireland has reduced from €4.29 to €2.90 (2021) and now down to as little as €2.15 or even just €1 per delivery in 2024. Mr Ó Luain also pointed out that the riders fear for their safety while trying to survive economically.

The protest is set to take place between 5pm and 10pm today, when riders will turn off their delivery apps and meet at the O’Connell Street Spire. A WhatsApp group has been created to organise the protest, which has approximately 600 members so far, and Portuguese-speaking drivers have rallied support for their cause via social media posts over the last few weeks. But poor pay isn’t the only thing Dublin’s delivery drivers have been up against recently, as many have become victims of anti-social behaviour. Last summer, delivery drivers took to the streets to protest violence, bike theft and poor pay after a delivery driver was stabbed in Temple Bar.

Despite the delivery driver’s calls for more support from companies, delivery apps are mostly ignoring their pleas for help. An Uber Eats spokesperson said: “We offer a flexible way for couriers to earn by using the app when and where they choose. We know that the vast majority of couriers are satisfied with their experience on the app, and we regularly engage with couriers to look at how we can improve their experience.” Similarly, a spokesperson for Deliveroo said the company is aiming to “provide riders with the flexible work riders tell us they value, attractive earning opportunities and protections”.

JustEat’s comments were only slightly more promising. “This issue has not been brought to the attention of Just Eat Ireland through our courier network. However, we take the concerns of all couriers extremely seriously. Their welfare is important to us, and we welcome their feedback. Just Eat consistently engage with couriers through a number of channels, including regular pulse surveys, emails, chat function in the app while on a delivery, and offline messaging with courier support.”