Delivery companies emphasize that riders are not obligated to accept orders or ride during severe weather, prioritizing their safety above all.
As the UAE prepares for another round of storms on Thursday and Friday, delivery workers are seen navigating flooded streets, drenched from head to toe, to fulfill orders. A video shared with Khaleej Times shows a Talabat rider pressing on as water rises to nearly half the height of the motorcycle.
Delivery companies stress that riders are not obliged to accept orders or ride in severe weather, with their safety being the top priority.
In response to the viral video, Talabat confirmed to Khaleej Times that the incident was isolated and does not reflect the company’s usual operations.
“The safety of our riders is and will remain our top priority. During heavy rainfall, we proactively pause operations in areas where conditions are unsafe, following our safety protocols and local authority guidance,” the company said.
Talabat added that riders are not obliged to continue delivering in unstable weather if they feel unsafe. They can “go offline at any time without consequence.”
“Decisions are made in real time, based on live data, on-the-ground input, and continuous monitoring of conditions, which can change quickly across locations. Any incidents identified are reviewed immediately and addressed,” Talabat stated.
“Riders receive practical road safety guidance for challenging weather, while customers in affected areas are notified in-app about potential delivery delays. Our teams closely monitor conditions across the seven emirates and adapt operations as needed to keep safety front and centre.”
Limited delivery areas
Deliveroo, another online food delivery service, said it is actively monitoring conditions and receiving updates from agency riders and operations teams.
“Depending on the impact in different areas, we limit delivery zones to reduce driving distances,” the company said. Deliveroo riders are also encouraged to temporarily stop deliveries if they feel unsafe.
“If weather conditions worsen and it is unsafe to ride, we immediately pause operations in affected areas and inform customers in-app about delays or closures. Operations resume once conditions improve and it is safe for riders to work,” the statement added.
The UAE experienced several days of unstable weather this past week. While some private companies allowed employees to work from home, essential workers such as delivery riders continued operations with safety measures in place.
Authorities have repeatedly urged the private sector to take precautionary steps to protect employees during adverse weather. On Monday, they emphasised that companies should prioritise the safety of workers—particularly labourers and other outdoor staff—during such conditions.
