Delivery riders in Florence are on strike today, 15 July, 2026, to protest what they describe as increasingly unsustainable working conditions. The mobilisation, announced after an assembly organised by Nidil CGIL Firenze, includes a bicycle procession through the city centre to draw attention to demands for better pay, stronger labour protections and measures to safeguard workers during periods of extreme heat.
The protest is expected to begin at 5 p.m. from Via Cavour before passing through Piazza San Marco, Via Nazionale and the Fortezza da Basso, ending in Piazza Tanucci.
Among the main demands is the replacement of payment based on individual deliveries with a system that guarantees pay for the hours actually worked. Riders also say earnings have fallen while the number of deliveries has decreased, despite continued demand in the food delivery sector.
Heat-related working conditions are another central issue. Riders argue that those working by bicycle or motorcycle are exposed to temperatures well above official readings and say any suspension of work due to extreme heat should not result in a loss of income.
The mobilisation also raises broader concerns over workplace safety, compensation in the event of injuries, more effective channels for reporting safety problems and abusive behaviour, and stronger employment protections.
The Florence protest is part of a wider wave of demonstrations taking place across Italy today, with similar initiatives organised in several cities over pay, working conditions and the application of heat protection measures for outdoor workers. Meanwhile, the national government has said it is working on new measures linked to the implementation of European rules on platform work and additional protections for workers in the sector.
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