Iceland’s Socialist Party backs striking Wolt couriers

Iceland’s Socialist Party has expressed full support for around 60 Wolt couriers who stopped work to protest their employment terms, mbl.is reports.

The couriers say their payments have fallen by 40% in one year. The Icelandic Confederation of Labour and the chair of VR, a trade union, have also voiced support for their action, according to mbl.is.

In a resolution, the Socialist Party described the couriers’ action as a necessary response to a business model based on pseudo self-employment, reduced workers’ rights and the transfer of risk to the people carrying out deliveries.

Calls for government action

The party called on the government to close what it described as legal loopholes that allow companies such as Wolt to operate outside general labour legislation.

It also called for stricter enforcement of labour-market rules and for everyone working in the gig economy to be classified as employees, paid according to collective agreements and granted full employment rights.

“The way forward is not to weaken the protection of working people, but to strengthen it, ensure that the digital economy serves people rather than only capital, and ensure that no worker is left behind in the name of profit,” the resolution said.