Delivery drivers and couriers in Vilnius protest for better working conditions

A small but vocal protest took place in Vilnius on Thursday as delivery drivers and couriers demanded improved working conditions and stronger legal protections for gig economy workers, LRT reports.

Around 10 demonstrators gathered outside the Ministry of Social Security and Labour, calling on authorities and trade unions to address the precarious situation of workers employed through digital platforms. Their protest coincided with a meeting of the Tripartite Council, which was discussing the implementation of the EU’s Platform Work Directive.

Workers say they frequently face unsafe conditions, unclear legal status, limited social protections, and wages that often fall below the minimum. Gintaras Rukšėnas, a member of Lithuania’s Platform Workers’ Trade Union, argued that while their work resembles traditional employment, they receive none of the associated guarantees.

“We should know how much we can earn before we go out to work,” Rukšėnas told reporters. “Today, we don’t know what we’ll make—after delivering ten orders, we might earn just €12. A person working eight hours and not even making minimum wage is a tragedy.”

He also criticised platforms for prioritising speed and low costs over worker safety, noting public complaints about cold or spoiled deliveries. “Platform owners can’t have it all—cheap, fast, and productive. That’s not how it works,” he said.

Linas Mazgeika, the union’s chairman, called for platforms to negotiate fairly with workers, allow them to reject unsuitable orders, and provide full transparency on job details and pay. “We also need to talk about fees that actually reflect our interests—not just working for pocket change,” he said in a statement.

One protester, who did not give his name, said digital platforms had radically changed working conditions, allowing companies to profit while shifting risks onto workers. “Our work isn’t regulated as employment, so platforms make money off local and foreign labour without ensuring proper conditions,” he said. “If these were real employment relationships, social guarantees would be mandatory, and wages would be more stable.”

Protesters displayed pizzas on a Bolt vehicle alongside signs reading, “While we eat pizza, you decide our future” and “Don’t give in to platform lobbyists!”