The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has partnered with Bolt, a major ride-hailing and food delivery platform in Europe, to support and integrate migrant workers worldwide. This new global partnership, called Bridging the Gap – Integrating Migrants, commences with a pilot program in Malta and is anticipated to serve as a model for other countries seeking to enhance migrant worker conditions in the expanding mobility and delivery sectors.
Migrant workers often play a vital role in many economies, yet they face major challenges, including unfair treatment, lack of proper training, and difficulty adjusting to new societies. The IOM sees migration as a natural part of economic life and believes it should be safe, fair, and beneficial for both people and countries. According to Catalina Devandas, Senior Director of Partnerships at IOM, this partnership highlights what can be achieved when the private sector steps up to ensure dignified and safe working conditions for migrants.
Bolt currently operates in more than 600 cities across over 50 countries, including places in Europe, Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Americas. With such wide coverage, this partnership has great potential to make a lasting impact. The pilot project in Malta is designed to provide real support by developing helpful tools and training materials for employers and offering practical help to migrant workers. This will create a fairer, more supportive environment for those working in ride-hailing and food delivery services.
What is the goal of this partnership?
The main goal is to ensure that migrant workers feel welcomed, protected, and supported. The project will empower migrants to join the workforce with confidence and be treated fairly by fleet employers. It also focuses on helping private businesses understand the value of supporting migrant workers and promoting a more inclusive society.
Eirini Zafeiratou, Vice President of Policy and Regulatory Affairs at Bolt, said that many businesses today depend on a diverse workforce. Bolt’s app allows thousands of people to earn an income. With IOM’s help, the company wants to do more to make sure migrant workers are not just earning but also fully included and respected wherever they work.
The pilot will also work with governments and other organizations to make sure the project fits into each country’s labour rules and economic needs. At the same time, it will collect useful information to help guide future policies on labour mobility around the world. This could help shape how countries manage migrant labour in the future, focusing on protection, fairness, and opportunity.
The long-term plan is to take what is learned in Malta and apply it in other countries. By combining IOM’s global experience in migration with Bolt’s large network of drivers and couriers, the project can create a responsible and scalable model that works in many settings. This is a big step toward building a better system where migrants are treated as valuable contributors, not just temporary workers.
Bolt is funding the project through its Bolt Urban Fund, a programme that supports social impact projects. This fund helps improve both the economic and social results of shared mobility and delivery services. With this effort, Bolt is showing a commitment to not just profits, but people too—especially the migrant workers helping to power the global gig economy.