Rabat – On Monday, dozens of Glovo delivery riders took to the streets of Casablanca to protest deteriorating working conditions and to denounce the depiction of Morocco’s Sahara region on the company’s app.
Wearing helmets and carrying their distinctive yellow delivery bags, the riders condemned Glovo for displaying a map that excludes the Moroccan Sahara and labels the area as “Western Sahara.” This inclusion has been a breaking point for many workers who consider it an affront to Moroccan sovereignty.
The protesters also reported that for months they have struggled under an unfair system where they are responsible for all expenses — including motorcycles, fuel, insurance, and equipment — while their earnings barely cover basic living costs.
Glovo, which is 94% owned by the German company Delivery Hero, has faced scrutiny internationally. In June, Delivery Hero was fined €106 million by the European Commission for anti-competitive practices, including no-poaching agreements.
Monday’s protest is part of a broader wave of demonstrations. Since early July, delivery workers have organized spontaneous protests in multiple Moroccan cities, demanding fairer wages, insurance coverage, financial support for professional equipment, and recognition of their right to unionize.
Despite mounting pressure, Glovo’s Moroccan branch has remained silent, fueling frustration among riders who feel invisible to the company, yet essential to its business operations.
Founded in Barcelona in 2014, Glovo rapidly expanded with backing from major investors, including Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund. However, its business model — heavily reliant on precarious labor — is increasingly challenged by workers worldwide.
This recent gathering is not the first; delivery riders have organized group protests since early July and show no sign of backing down until their demands are met.
These protests highlight not only the political sensitivity surrounding Morocco’s territorial integrity but also the growing social dissatisfaction with the realities of gig economy work in the country.
