Hundreds of delivery drivers staged a peaceful protest in Limassol on Friday morning, expressing deep concern over what they describe as a frightening surge in violent attacks against them.
Around 300 protesters voiced their frustration, saying their pleas for help to the police, authorities and the public have fallen on deaf ears as the assaults continue unabated.
“Everyone is afraid to do their job,” delivery driver Rajesh told the Cyprus Mail. He described it “an everyday occurrence” for drivers to be ambushed, robbed and humiliated by groups of people.
“We’ve had eggs thrown at us, glass bottles smashed on our helmets, our bikes stolen. We can’t continue like this.”
Several drivers have been beaten so badly that they required hospitalisation. So far, the delivery drivers have relied on each other for support and protection.

Several drivers have been beaten so badly that they required hospitalisation.
“But we can’t go on like this. We need help,” Rajesh emphasised.
In response, the drivers announced an immediate three-day strike, hoping to draw attention to their plight and bring an end to the violence. There will be no deliveries in Limassol from Friday until Sunday, the protesters announced.
Starting Monday, deliveries will only be available before 8pm.
“We want an end to this problem.”
The protest took place at the old port at 11:30 a.m., with participants holding placards reading, “We want justice for delivery boys.” They recounted how they simply deliver food and do not seek any trouble, yet their safety is constantly at risk.
“We are in danger all the time,” Rajesh said.
Deputy Limassol police spokesman Marinos Vasiliou told the Cyprus Mail there has not been a notable increase in reported incidents, though he acknowledged this might be due to drivers’ fear of speaking out.
However, Rajesh and other drivers painted a different picture, accusing officers of ignoring their requests to report incidents. Rajesh said when he went to a police station after he was attacked, he was simply told “My friend just be careful. Don’t work in a dangerous area.”
Vasiliou said that if this account is true, it is a very serious issue, and he urged any delivery driver who experiences such treatment to report it – bringing the issue back to square one.
So far, one minor has been arrested in connection with the violence on delivery drivers, similar offenses same reason.
Rajesh said the problems began to escalate about a year ago but were limited to Ayia Fyla and Ypsonas areas. Now, however, particularly in the past month, the violence has become rampant even in the main arteries of Limassol’s city centre.
“They don’t care where they are. No one stops them. Only we try to help each other when we can. Sometimes, police cars have passed by and no one stopped.”
According to Rajesh, the violence unfolds in some capacity every day in Ayios Athanasios, Zakaki, Makarios Avenue, Germasogia, Ypsonas and Ayia Fyla.
Nearly a year ago, delivery drivers spoke to the Cyprus Mail and pleaded “please write about this.”
“We are afraid. We are afraid to do our jobs. People wait for us in the dark and hit us, throw stones at us, they steal our money and bikes.”
At the time, the increasing violence was linked to the racist violence which unfolded in Chlorakas and Limassol, which primarily targeted Syrian nationals.
Amnesty International condemned the violence, saying that it was “responding to pogrom-like demonstrations and violent attacks against racialised people, including migrants and refugees, in Limassol and Chlorakas in recent weeks.”
The NGO’s migration researcher, Adriana Tidona, highlighted that “the violent, racist attacks in Chlorakas and Limassol must serve as a wake-up call for authorities in Cyprus to take immediate measures to tackle racist rhetoric and abuse, which have been on the rise in the country for years.”
Labour Minister Yiannis Panayiotou warned at the time that Cyprus’ economy would collapse without migrants.
Despite these warnings, the violence has not decreased but instead worsened over the past year, according to the delivery drivers.
The latest US Department of State report on human rights published in April this year documented concerns related to racism in Cyprus, including an increase in violent attacks against migrants.
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