Glovo couriers launch 48-hour strike in Casablanca over pay and conditions

Monday 01 September 2025 - 14:50

By: Dakir Madiha

Glovo couriers launch 48-hour strike in Casablanca over pay and conditions

In Casablanca, Glovo delivery workers affiliated with the Moroccan Labor Union (UMT) have begun a 48-hour general strike, accompanied by a sit-in at 2:00 p.m. in front of the company’s headquarters in Casablanca Finance City. This marks the third protest by Glovo couriers in recent months, as frustrations over pay, working conditions, and operational policies continue to grow.

Demands for better pay and conditions

The striking workers are demanding an immediate increase in base delivery rates to counter rising living costs and declining purchasing power. The union has also called for double pay during night shifts, national holidays, and religious celebrations. Additional demands include full payment for canceled orders, elimination of grouped orders, and algorithm adjustments to ensure compliance with traffic laws and safety standards.

One of the key grievances is the reactivation of accounts that have been arbitrarily blocked or suspended. The union is pushing for clear and fair disciplinary procedures, transparency in pricing and incentive systems, and protection of couriers’ personal data. Riders have also requested the reopening of operational zones in Bouskoura and Dar Bouazza, which were suspended by local authorities.

A backdrop of ongoing tensions

The strike follows a series of protests earlier this year, including one in July over a truncated map of Morocco displayed on Glovo’s mobile app. The company attributed the issue to a “technical anomaly” and confirmed that it had been resolved. Despite Glovo’s claims of increased dialogue with couriers, riders remain dissatisfied with what they describe as “inhumane” working conditions and a lack of meaningful improvements.

In July, Glovo Morocco reached a settlement with the Competition Council over antitrust allegations. The company agreed to eliminate exclusivity clauses in its agreements with restaurant partners and to improve transparency in partner rankings on the app. Additionally, Glovo pledged MAD 31 million ($3.1 million) annually to self-employed couriers and established a MAD 5 million ($500,000) Impact Fund for scholarships and vocational training.

Morocco: A key market for Glovo

As Glovo’s fourth-largest market globally, Morocco is a critical base for the platform, working with over 6,500 business partners and 4,500 couriers. However, the riders’ union asserts that the company’s profits are built on the labor of its couriers, who continue to face steep challenges.

The UMT has emphasized that today’s strike is a reminder to Glovo that significant reforms are needed to address the persistent inequalities and risks faced by delivery workers. Despite recent commitments from the company, couriers assert that the promises have yet to translate into meaningful change in their day-to-day operations.