Polish food delivery giant PysznePL to fire 5,000 couriers and rehire them through intermediaries on worse terms

17 July 2026 , 20:07

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Polish food delivery giant PysznePL to fire 5,000 couriers and rehire them through intermediaries on worse terms

The Polish food delivery service PysznePL intends to dismiss all its couriers by the end of August — approximately 5,000 people. After the layoffs, the dismissed workers will be offered the chance to return, but through intermediary companies and on much less favorable terms.

Currently, couriers work under civil law contracts and receive at least the statutory minimum hourly rate. In the new model, they will be paid only for completed deliveries. According to the trade union, when there are not enough orders, earnings could fall below the minimum wage. Couriers will also have to pay intermediaries extra for contract processing and accounting services.

Poland’s Minister of Labor, Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk, has ordered an urgent check into the legality of this scheme. The State Labor Inspectorate is already examining PysznePL’s courier contracts. If it turns out that the couriers should have been employed under proper labor contracts, the company will be required to follow mass layoff rules, including consultations with the trade union and payment of severance.

Poland is also preparing a law to implement the European directive that will strengthen protections for digital platform workers, including couriers hired through intermediaries.

Thomas Brown

Head of Investigations