Since January 2024, Bolt has discontinued partnerships with 28 fleets for “failing to meet the standards of engagement” the platform firm expects, according to a representative for the company.

Speaking to WhosWho.mt, it says it is “actively removing” fleet operators that are not meeting their legal obligations from its partner network, preventing them from using its popular app to find work.

The comments come after a difficult week where hundreds of couriers went on strike.

However, the Bolt representative says that the company “has always been committed to partnering only with fleets that meet their legal obligations.”

They also said that Bolt “is cooperating and will continue to cooperate with the Maltese authorities regarding ongoing investigations into food delivery courier employment conditions.”

Bolt also restated its argument that earnings have increased by 20 per cent over the last months, driven by a rise in the number of deliveries completed per hour.

However, it admitted that the figure represents revenues by fleet operators, which are not necessarily passing on any of that amount to their employees.

While Bolt provides the platform technology connecting users, restaurants and couriers, the couriers are engaged by a number of fleet operators, which may have anywhere from a handful to hundreds of vehicles and workers.

Despite repeated attempts to bring a measure of legal certainty to the sector, most notably through the enactment of new legislation mandating that workers must be paid a minimum wage, it is an open secret that abuse is rife.

The couriers involved in the strike – which received public support from the Minister for Employment – complained that the terms in their contracts are regularly not honoured by their employers, with many forced to work inhumanly long hours just to get by.

While the couriers have now returned to work, the local General Workers Union and Solidarjetà have continued to voice their support, indicated that the issue will remain on the national agenda.

Meanwhile, Bolt said it will be introducing an anonymous feedback tool on its app, allowing couriers to speak up if they feel mistreated.

“We are taking this seriously and have communicated with all fleet operators, making it clear that the Bolt experience must be a positive one for all involved, from the customer to the courier.”