Dubai delivery workers go on second rare strike this month
Associated PressDUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Food-delivery workers protesting meager pay and inadequate protections have walked off the job across Dubai, their company confirmed Tuesday, marking the second strike in as many weeks in an emirate that outlaws dissent. “Yet, we understand economic and political realities are changing constantly, and we will always continue to listen to what riders have to say.” Several striking Talabat riders say they hoped to secure a raise to roughly $2.72 per delivery, especially as they’re squeezed by spiking gas prices that they pay out of pocket. With companies struggling to find staff after the pandemic triggered mass lay-offs of manual laborers across Dubai, delivery contractors are feeling emboldened in the emirate’s tight labor market, analysts say. “Striking workers know they can’t be quickly replaced.” Khan, a 24-year-old Talabat driver and breadwinner for his family of nine in Peshawar, Pakistan, said he can barely make ends meet in Dubai — even though he hasn’t taken a day off in three months and works 15 hours a day.
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Dubai delivery workers go on second rare strike this month
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Dubai delivery drivers walk off job in rare protest over pay
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