Decision-makers

WorkSafe Victoria
HungryPanda Australia Management

Issue / Petition description

No delivery rider should have to risk their life to recover a stolen meal.

This petition was prompted by a recently shared account of a Melbourne delivery rider being stabbed while trying to recover stolen food. The circumstances, the rider’s platform affiliation and the outcome still require official confirmation.

We are calling on WorkSafe Victoria to investigate concerns that HungryPanda riders may be required to pay for missing or stolen meals, and to assess whether its policies and practices expose riders to avoidable danger.

If riders fear deductions, repayment demands or account penalties when food is stolen, that financial pressure may encourage them to chase thieves, confront attackers or remain in unsafe situations. A rider should never feel that protecting an order is necessary to protect their livelihood.

Every rider must be able to prioritise personal safety and leave a dangerous situation without financial punishment.

Riders must also be able to raise concerns safely. In a report published on 18 February 2026, ABC News described allegations from Sydney HungryPanda riders that they and their families in China had faced pressure from Chinese police after discussing industrial action over pay and working conditions. ABC verified some communications, while stating that it had no evidence at the time that HungryPanda or its associates had orchestrated that pressure. Watch the ABC News video or read the accompanying report.

In a follow-up report on 27 February, HungryPanda denied contacting Chinese police before the earlier calls or asking them to stop riders protesting. The company said it later contacted Chinese authorities about alleged threats involving some riders. Read the follow-up and company response.

These reports reinforce the need for independent, confidential complaint channels. Riders should be able to report safety risks, question repayment demands and provide evidence to Australian regulators without fearing intimidation or retaliation against themselves or their families.

We call for the following actions:

1. WorkSafe Victoria: investigate the policies and safety risks.

Examine HungryPanda’s arrangements in Victoria for stolen, missing and undelivered food, including contracts, actual deductions, repayment demands, support instructions and account penalties. Assess whether these arrangements create pressure to confront thieves or take other unsafe actions, and take appropriate action within your powers.

2. HungryPanda: protect riders who prioritise safety.

Introduce and enforce a clear policy that riders will not be charged for food lost through theft, robbery, threats or reasonable action to avoid danger. Do not reduce their earnings, access to orders or account standing for making those safety decisions.

3. Provide clear safety procedures and practical support.

Explicitly tell riders they are not expected to chase thieves or put themselves at risk to recover food. Provide multilingual safety training, including Chinese, real-time incident support and straightforward procedures for reporting incidents and resolving affected orders. Offer practical support to riders affected by violence.

4. Protect riders who speak up.

Establish independent, confidential and multilingual reporting and review processes. Explicitly prohibit retaliation against riders for raising safety concerns, challenging deductions, assisting regulators or participating in lawful collective action. Reports of threats or intimidation should be referred to the appropriate Australian authorities.

5. Respond transparently and report progress.

HungryPanda should publish its relevant policies and a clear timetable for any necessary changes. WorkSafe Victoria should communicate its findings and follow-up action to the extent permitted by law, and refer matters outside its jurisdiction to the appropriate authorities.

Food delivery platforms should build safety into the way work is organised, orders are managed and losses are handled. Riders need clear assurances that choosing safety will not cost them their income or access to work.

Please sign this petition to call for an investigation, meaningful safeguards and the protection of every delivery rider’s ability to return home safely.