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23.05.2025 11:46

Court rules that food couriers are employees — what does this mean for couriers?

The long-standing uncertainty about the legal status of couriers has now been resolved. In a precedent-setting decision, the Supreme Administrative Court ruled that couriers are employees in an employment relationship.

According to the recent decision by the Supreme Administrative Court, food courier work is done in an employment relationship. This decision is very significant for all those doing courier work in Finland. The long uncertainty about the legal position of couriers has now come to an end.

— The court’s decision finally brings security and clarity to the situation. It doesn’t stop flexible work in the future. We have always aimed for fair working conditions for couriers, and an employment relationship guarantees that. This is great news for the thousands of couriers working today, says Papy Nkunda, chair of PAM Couriers Finland.

What does the decision mean? Frequently asked questions and answers for couriers

In Finland, the Supreme Administrative Court has now decided that platform economy couriers are employees, not entrepreneurs. The long-standing uncertainty about the situation of couriers has now been resolved by this decision.

What happens now?

Nothing changes immediately for any individual, and an employment relationship does not start automatically. Courier work can still be done in the future and can continue to be flexible — the courier can choose when to work. The court did not require the use of shift schedules, for example.

PAM assumes that Wolt will comply with the decision of the Supreme Administrative Court and begin the necessary actions so that courier work will be done in employment relationships.

Must platform companies (e.g. Wolt) follow the court’s decision?

Yes. The decision by the Supreme Administrative Court is a precedent and cannot be appealed.

I have a business ID (y-tunnus), does the decision affect me?

The decision applies to food couriers regardless of whether the courier has been working as a light entrepreneur or with their own business ID. Many couriers already use a business ID, but the court still found that the criteria for an employment relationship were fulfilled.

What changes would an employment relationship bring to courier work?

An employment relationship guarantees basic employment rights for couriers. Employees in an employment relationship have protection against dismissal and the right to paid annual holiday, paid sick leave, and more. Employers also take on responsibilities related to for example occupational safety and health.

Can I still work flexibly in the future?

Yes. According to the court’s decision, the Working Hours Act does not apply to couriers, so the ruling does not limit courier working hours.

I have application pending for residence permit for entrepreneur. What should I do?

Yle has reported, that based on the court’s ruling, the ELY Centre says couriers who only have a contract with Wolt are not entrepreneurs. The ELY Centre’s partial decision is binding for Migri. This issue affects some dozens of couriers.

If you as courier currently have a pending application for residence permit for entrepreneurs based on work for Wolt, and Migri asks you for more information, you can:

  • ask for extra time, and
  • explain, that Wolt has not changed your contract into an employment relationship.

If you are a member of PAM, you can contact our employment helpline.

What will PAM do next?

PAM’s goal remains to ensure fair working conditions and pay for couriers. In earlier negotiations with Wolt, PAM negotiated a collective agreement for both self-employed and employee-status couriers. The Supreme Administrative Court’s decision now opens new perspectives on negotiating a collective agreement.

Text by Hildur Boldt and Pauli Unkuri
Picture: Shutterstock

EDITED 17 June 2025: Added question and answer on entrepreneur’s residence permit.

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PAM Couriers Finland is a branch for platform workers and self-employed. Join PAM if you work as a courier! We are stronger together and can change things for the better.

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Keywords:

Platform economy

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