Grumbles in Hong Kong as Deliveroo riders strike over changes to work schedules and benefits
Food deliveries in business districts hit as couriers protest over tweaks they claim will allow company to cut pay
Scores of riders working for one of Hong Kong’s most popular online food delivery companies entered the second day of a “strike” on Tuesday, disrupting orders in the city’s key business districts during the busy lunch hour.
Up to 100 riders for Deliveroo were believed to have stopped work a day after announcing a protest over a tweak to their work schedules as a result of a new electronic platform that they claimed would enable the company to cut working hours and thus pay.
“We’re experiencing service disruption and are unable to take any orders in several areas right now,” a customer relations staffer told the Post at about noon. “We apologise for any inconvenience caused and will be back with you shortly.”
The staffer said the districts affected included most of Central and Western, including Sheung Wan, Kennedy Town and Sai Ying Pun, as well as some of the Causeway Bay area. Orders were still being taken in Eastern district but would be “a bit slow”.
The company was gradually restoring services to the affected areas on Tuesday night, with general manager Brian Lo pledging to improve the way management communicated company changes to its fleet.