What Happened
Motorizados affiliated with PedidosYa Panama carried out a temporary work stoppage on Monday, April 13, in protest over delivery rates and working conditions. The disruption has already affected merchants and users of home delivery services across the country.
Representatives of the group said the action should not be seen as a strike or public demonstration, but as a temporary suspension of work. They argue that couriers operate as independent commercial partners, while the company treats them like employees by imposing demands without providing labor benefits.
Main Complaints
Among the grievances raised are rising gasoline costs, lower delivery rates, the lack of company-funded insurance, motorcycle maintenance paid out of pocket by riders, and evaluations they consider unfair. They also pointed to long hours without adequate breaks.
The group said its stoppage centers on three main objections, including a new per-kilometer payment system that they say does not fit Panama’s traffic conditions. They also reject prorated payment for multiple routes, arguing that each delivery should be paid separately.
According to the couriers, there has been no direct communication with the company so far. They also said some riders have allegedly been threatened with blocks on the platform. The group called on PedidosYa to open a negotiation channel so operations can resume.
How the Riders Say the Pay System Works
The couriers said Panama has about 3,500 affiliated businesses and between 2,500 and 3,000 active motorizados, warning that the stoppage could affect multiple parts of the country if it continues. They said the measure remained in place on Tuesday, April 14.
They also shared a breakdown of what they consider the impact of the new payment structure. According to the group, the current base rate is $2.50, which would yield about $1,250 a month if a rider completed 500 orders. Under the model they oppose, they said the payment would be calculated by components: $1.50 base pay, $0.25 G1 extra, $0.10 per kilometer traveled, $0.15 per kilometer delivered, and $0.10 for a multiplier, totaling $2.10 per order, or about $1,050 a month for 500 deliveries.
By contrast, the riders say a fair model would set a $3.50 base rate, raising monthly income to $1,750 for the same number of orders.
Wider Labor Debate
The group says the changes amount to a devaluation of tariffs and less money for their work, and it repeated its call for riders to support the stoppage until negotiations begin. A spokesperson who asked not to be identified said the movement is neither anarchic nor violent and is not intended to disturb public order.
He said the dispute reflects a contradiction: the company operates under professional service contracts, but in practice imposes work schedules and sanctions while not recognizing riders as employees or providing benefits. He also recalled that a draft proposal to regulate digital platforms was introduced in 2022 but did not move forward.
The spokesperson said the couriers reject mileage-based and prorated payment schemes because customers pay for a delivery, not for the time it takes a rider to complete it. He also cited higher fuel prices, inflation, and operating costs such as gasoline, motorcycle maintenance, platform affiliation fees, accident insurance, and other expenses.
He added that so-called hidden fees raise the final cost for consumers while reducing what the rider receives. The spokesperson said the stoppage is indefinite and claimed the group had support from 85% to 90% of riders on Monday. No version from the company was included in the available information.