Updated 4.15pm with further comments by Byron Camilleri in parliament. 

Employment Minister Byron Camilleri on Monday urged striking Bolt food couriers to join a union, while Social Dialogue Parliamentary Secretary Andy Ellul encouraged them to report unfair treatment. 

Over the weekend, some 345 food couriers stopped accepting app orders, with several clients complaining on social media that their orders had not been delivered.

The couriers are protesting over having their weekend delivery wages slashed. 

Bolt Malta, which said the strike was by "a small group of couriers" insisted that couriers' earnings per hour have increased in the past months.

But couriers told Times of Malta they were struggling to make ends meet after the platform slashed delivery wages, forcing them to "work twice as much to earn half as much" as they used to.

On Monday morning, Minister Camilleri endorsed the strike, saying the couriers were right to speak up about their working conditions and rights.

"We should pride ourselves on companies that care for their workers, and not those who disregard their rights. Comfort is nice, but it should not come at workers' expense."

While urging the couriers to join a union, Camilleri said the door to his ministry and related entities was open to them if they needed any support.

Allegations should be investigated - Byron Camilleri

Speaking later in parliament, Camilleri said the allegations made by these workers on deterioration of their rights should be investigated.

He also warned that no one should think he could remove these workers because they were protesting. “We have to stand up to this,” he said.

Replying to further questions by Labour MP Naomi Cachia, the minister said market testing was needed to establish whether there was a need for more foreign workers to work as couriers and on Y-plate car services. He did not think so.

Meanwhile, Ellul urged workers to report abuse or unjust treatment to the Department for Industrial and Employment Relations. He assured that the anonymity of workers will always be respected so that they can file reports without fear of adverse consequences.

Ellul said that, so far, no reports had been lodged with the DIER.

"Since the law regulating food couriers came into effect, the DIER has continuously verified conditions of work with both employers and employees.Certain shortcomings have been resolved, while in other situations, some individuals have been taken to court," he said, adding that the DIER was there to assist all workers without distinction.

"Needless to say, this does not mean that abuse does not exist. Rather, it is a clear indication of the importance of every worker being a member of a trade union, since unions can provide the necessary support and representation to further protect workers' rights."

Food delivery couriers have repeatedly complained about precarious working conditions, despite the government's efforts at implementing legislation guaranteeing rights for platform workers.

According to the Digital Platform Delivery Wages Council Wage Regulation Order in effect since January of 2023, couriers are guaranteed a minimum wage, overtime, double pay on rest days, sick, injury and vacation leave and an exemption from paying for equipment and fuel.

But on the ground, couriers delivering food on apps often lament that they do not make €4.82, Malta's minimum wage per hour.