A search for the phrase “delivery rider killed” on Egyptian search engines will quickly reveal a long list of reports in local news outlets documenting the deaths of dozens of people working in what many Egyptians call the “flying coffin” profession.

Egyptians refer to delivery riders as “pilots” because they speed through the streets on motorcycles, resembling “flying coffins”, racing against time to deliver as many orders as possible. They do so amid growing risks caused by the lack of safety standards, long working hours, and the absence of legal protection or insurance coverage.

Six million delivery riders

There are no official estimates of the number of Egyptians working in the delivery sector. However, a parliamentary briefing submitted by Egyptian MP Maha Abdel Nasser to the prime minister revealed that there are six million delivery riders in the country, and that 63 per cent of them have experienced workplace accidents or injuries.

There are no official estimates of the number of Egyptians working in the delivery sector. However, a parliamentary briefing submitted by Egyptian MP Maha Abdel Nasser to the prime minister revealed that there are six million delivery riders in the country, and that 63 per cent of them have experienced workplace accidents or injuries.

“I have a bachelor’s degree in arts, and I work in food delivery services,” said Ali Abdullah, 25, describing his experience and struggles as “a humiliating job and a deadly profession.” “Those who work in this field suffer serious health problems because they spend long hours riding and working in difficult weather conditions, whether in winter or summer,” he added.

A motorcycle, bicycle or scooter, along with an identity card and driving licence, are the only equipment and documents required to work as a delivery rider in Egypt.

Delivery riders typically work an average of 12 hours a day, with no employment contracts, fixed salaries, risk allowances, benefits or compensation in the event of an accident or damage to the motorcycle, according to workers at Talabat, the delivery service company operating in Egypt under Germany’s Delivery Hero Group.

Talabat is an online platform that receives customers’ orders and delivers them to their homes. It operates in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Iraq and Jordan.

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Delivery workers in Egypt receive between 30 and 35 Egyptian pounds........

© Middle East Monitor