Defendant acquitted of multiple employment law breaches involving platform couriers due to a critical evidentiary gap: no workers testified to authenticate the documentary evidence.
Court of Magistrates (Malta) as a Court of Criminal Judicature · Magistrate Dr. Donatella M. Frendo Dimech LL.D., Mag. Jur. (Int. Law) · 29 April 2026
Atanas Tasev, director and legal representative of OHAA Ltd., a fleet operator supplying courier services to digital platforms Bolt and Wolt, was charged with six employment law violations covering the period March to June 2024. The charges included failing to guarantee weekly rest periods, failing to pay double time for work on rest days, failing to apply equal pay conditions for platform workers, failing to pay weekly allowances and statutory bonuses, underpaying basic hours, and failing to inform workers of reference working hours. The Department of Industrial and Employment Relations (DIER) investigated by cross-referencing data obtained from Bolt and Wolt with payslips and rosters supplied by the employer. Investigator Mary Grace Cassar testified that the comparison revealed numerous discrepancies — for example, platform data showed couriers working 50 hours but being paid for only 40, rest days being worked without double-time remuneration, and at least one worker being paid below the minimum wage. The Court also noted that an employment agreement presented as evidence was defective and misleadingly described Tasev as a 'company duly incorporated under the laws of Malta,' raising concerns it was designed to circumvent legal obligations. A representative from Bolt confirmed that platform data is linked to specific courier accounts tied to Jobsplus engagement forms and identity documents, lending credibility to the digital records. However, the Bolt witness also conceded he could not absolutely confirm that the registered courier was the physical person performing each delivery at any given time, a point seized upon by the defence. The Court acknowledged the diligent work of DIER investigators but found a fatal evidentiary gap: none of the couriers themselves testified to confirm the accuracy of the payslips or the department's findings. The Court noted that employees feared reprisals and many had since left Malta, making it impossible to fill this gap. Without direct testimony from the affected workers to authenticate the documentary evidence, the Court held that the prosecution's case could not be sustained beyond reasonable doubt, and acquitted Tasev on all charges.
Atanas Tasev acquitted of all six charges. No fines, disqualifications, or other penalties imposed.
Employment and Industrial Relations Act Cap. 452; S.L. 452.87 (Organisation of Working Time); S.L. 452.127 (Platform Workers); S.L. 452.62 (Weekly Allowance); S.L. 452.126 (Transparent Working Conditions); Criminal Code Cap. 9 Arts. 18, 19, 30