Finland’s Supreme Administrative Court has issued a landmark ruling stating that food delivery couriers working for the Wolt platform must be classified as employees, not independent contractors. This decision overturns a previous ruling by the Hämeenlinna Administrative Court, which in February 2024 had concluded that couriers were self-employed.
Court confirms disguised employment relationship
According to the Supreme Administrative Court, the subordination of couriers to the Wolt platform meant that their independence was, at least partially, an illusion. The judges determined that the couriers’ relationship with the company met the key characteristics of employment, setting a binding legal precedent for future cases involving gig economy platforms in the country.
The ruling emphasizes how digital labor platforms can create employment conditions under the guise of entrepreneurship, raising broader questions about worker rights in the gig economy. However, while the court recognized the employment status of the couriers, it clarified that working time regulations do not apply to this type of labor.
Wolt’s response and broader implications
In an email to Yle News, a Wolt spokesperson stated that the company has just received the ruling and will examine it in detail in the coming days. The outcome could compel platform-based companies operating in Finland to reassess their legal responsibilities and possibly reclassify their workers, which would affect social security contributions, tax obligations, and labor protections.
Finland now joins a growing list of European jurisdictions—such as Spain and parts of Germany—that are moving to formally recognize the employment rights of gig workers, especially in the food delivery sector. The ruling may influence similar cases pending across the Nordic region, as labor laws adapt to the realities of platform-mediated work.
This case highlights the increasing legal scrutiny directed at companies relying on flexible labor models, and marks a significant step toward clearer regulation of digital platform work in Finland and beyond.
