Ombudsman urged to probe Wolt couriers´ employment status

Two trade unions- Service Union United (Palvelualojen ammattiliitto-PAM) and Finnish Transport Workers’ Union (Auto- ja Kuljetusalan Työntekijäliitto- AKT) on Wednesday requested the Parliamentary Ombudsman to clarify the employment relationship of the couriers of delivery company Wolt, said PAM in a press release on Thursday.

The unions urged the ombudsman to investigate whether the occupational safety and health authority has properly supervised the operation of Wolt in this regard in due time.

Earlier in May 2025, the Supreme Administrative Court of Finland (Korkein hallinto-oikeus-KHO) ruled that couriers of Wolt should be employees of the delivery company, although Wolt classified them as self-employed entrepreneurs.

The company appealed against the rule, but the Supreme Administrative Court rejected the appeal this year.

The unions said that majority of the couriers of Wolt were still working as entrepreneurs despite the court ruling and requested the ombudsman to investigate into the matter.

The unions also urged the ombudsman to clarify whether the court ruling has been followed properly and find out the reasons behind in case of delay to implement the ruling.

PAM President Annika Rönni-Sällinen said that the court ruling was issued about one and a half years ago but majority of Wolt´s couriers are still working as entrepreneurs.

“Our complaint is based on the concern that judicial decisions do not seem to matter when an illegal practice can continue. That is why we want to find out whether the supervisory authority acted in accordance with its official duties,” said AKT Chairman Ismo Kokko.