Over 160 motorcycle delivery workers die in Turkey during pandemic

More than 160 motorcycle delivery workers have died in Turkey since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic as a result of increased online shopping and food delivery, Adana Motorcycle Couriers Association Chair Yalçın Parmak said.

Friday December 18 2020 01:39 pm

Duvar English

More than 160 motorcycle delivery workers have died in Turkey since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic due to the increased volume of online shopping and food delivery, Adana Motorcycle Couriers Association Chair Yalçın Parmak said.

The increased demand for online shopping and food delivery in Turkey has not only extended work days for motorcycle delivery workers to 14 hours a day, but it has also eliminated off-days on the weekends, Parmak added.

"There are five motorcycle couriers at my workplace, each of us have delivered 40 packages today. We're not even done yet," Parmak noted.

These workers receive 150 Turkish Liras a day (approximately 20 dollars) for hours of work, and often experience harsh treatment from customers, Parmak added.

"There's no understanding in our sector."