Amazon Delivery Driver Reveals Stresses and Wage in Italy

A Moldovan courier working for Amazon in Bologna, Italy, earns approximately 1,400 euros per month for a three-day workweek, highlighting the pressures and challenges faced by delivery drivers in the gig economy. Chiril Burcă, a 30-year-traditional driver, shares his experiences with demanding delivery schedules and unexpected financial deductions.

The Daily Grind: 120-150 Deliveries a Day

Chiril Burcă began working as a delivery driver in 2019, initially taking the job almost by chance after arriving in Italy at the age of 14. Currently employed by Tdu, a subcontractor for Amazon in the Bologna area, he operates on a part-time contract. His schedule consists of three eight-hour and 40-minute workdays each week, resulting in a monthly income of around 1,400 euros. Each day involves completing between 120 and 150 deliveries .

Unexpected Deductions: 500 Euro Penalty

In January and February, Burcă had a total of 500 euros deducted from his salary, split into two installments, due to a minor accident involving a company van. The incident occurred in November when he accidentally bumped into a colleague’s vehicle while reversing at a gas station .

Amazon deemed the accident as “gross negligence” and charged him the costs. Burcă contested this decision, arguing that gross negligence typically refers to driving under the influence or intentional damage, which was not the case. He believes a judge should assess the severity of the incident, not the company .

Stress and Overtime Concerns

Burcă acknowledges the high pressure associated with meeting delivery targets, admitting that the fear of not completing all deliveries creates anxiety. He recalls feeling so stressed in his early years of full-time work that he needed time to decompress in silence upon returning home . He too mentioned a previous minor incident seven years ago where he had to pay 250 euros.

Burcă expressed a desire for fairer disciplinary procedures and respect for employee rights, noting that many colleagues are still awaiting payment for accrued overtime. He personally tries to avoid overtime whenever possible.

Courier Salaries in Romania

For comparison, data from late 2025 indicates that a parcel handler in Romania earned an average of 3,500 lei net per month, while a courier earned 4,000 lei, and a transport dispatcher earned 5,000 lei . Over 22,000 jobs in the courier and transport sector were available in Romania in November 2025 .