A group of Keeta food delivery couriers staged a strike on Friday (10 May), protesting sudden pay cuts and what they describe as a dangerous order-grabbing system. The action comes just weeks after rival delivery platform Deliveroo exited the Hong Kong market.
According to couriers who participated in the strike, delivery fees per order have recently dropped from around HK$40–50 to approximately HK$30, with “peak hour bonuses” also scrapped. One of the couriers reported losing nearly HK$4,000 in earnings over the past month.
Dozens of couriers in the Tsuen Wan district halted deliveries during the busy lunchtime and evening rush hours. Protesters held signs reading “On Strike,” “Fair Rates, Stable Pay,” “Risking Our Lives for a Living,” “Boycott K Go,” and “Bring Back Peak Hour Bonuses.”
“No Dignity Left in the Job”
Couriers voiced frustration over the abrupt reduction in pay. One said that even a combined order — known as a “double” — now pays as little as HK$55. They also criticised the removal of the HK$10 peak-hour bonus in Tsuen Wan, which they say remains in place in other districts.
One full-time courier commented: “My income dropped by three to four thousand dollars just in the past month. The order rates have been falling for months, but this month hit us especially hard. Even double orders now don’t earn us HK$60.”
“Dangerous” Order-Grabbing System
Another major concern is Keeta’s order-grabbing mechanism. Couriers say the app displays pop-up alerts for new orders that must be claimed on a first-come, first-served basis — a system they claim has caused accidents when riders attempt to accept jobs while driving.
Striking workers are demanding a minimum of HK$45 per order, along with stable income and improved safety protections.
Keeta Responds
In response, Keeta stated it respects individuals’ rights to express their opinions peacefully and rationally. The company said delivery services remain operational and emphasised that pay rates and bonuses may vary depending on delivery distance and other factors. It also noted that courier insurance coverage had been upgraded to HK$1 million as of last month.
The strike highlights growing tensions in Hong Kong’s gig economy, particularly as competition thins and delivery workers face mounting pressures amid shrinking earnings and increasing risks.