Couriers protest over deteriorating working conditions

According to the FL, the purchasing power of couriers has fallen by 40-50 percent in four years, partly as a result of the abolition of the katas tax form. Gergely Tóth (“Greg”), a representative of the organization, highlighted that although according to Foodora data, average tips have increased by 10 percent per year in the past three years, the number of couriers has increased from 4,000 to 6,000, so per capita income has decreased.

An average courier has a gross annual turnover of 9 million forints, but after deductions, barely 3 million remains, claims the FL.

Couriers complain that they are often given a new address during a delivery, when they have no opportunity to consider the terms. According to them, the previous system was more predictable, but the current one “creates a situation of constraint” in which someone always accepts the deliveries for any low fee.

Foodora confirmed that the total wage bill has indeed increased and emphasized that their goal is sustainable operation, which serves the interests of all actors – couriers, partners and users. According to the company, couriers see the expected remuneration before each order, so they are free to decide whether to accept it. In August, they implemented a further increase in the average rate of 4 percent in rural areas.

In the gig economy (Uber, Wolt, Foodora), workers are contractual partners, so their rights to assert their interests are limited. Several legal precedents have been set abroad: California allowed taxi drivers to unionize, and the UK Supreme Court recognized drivers as employees in 2021. However, these required strong pressure and work stoppages.