The firm said it was surprised by the large number of applicants.File photo. Image: Miikka Varila / YleYle News14:55Platform-based delivery firm Wolt said it received around 27,000 applications from people across Finland seeking courier positions this summer.The company ran a two-week recruitment process for people interested in courier work, including previous applicants who were on a waiting list, former substitutes as well as new applicants.A Wolt representative told Yle by email that the firm was surprised by the large number of applicants.According to the company, the situation reflects Finland's job market at the moment, and a huge demand for flexible working arrangements.Wolt's applicant call-out was due to changes the firm has made to its relationship with couriers.Starting this month, only verified couriers with work permits whose identities have been confirmed will be allowed to make deliveries for the company.New rules as of AugustThe company's previous model allowed couriers to use substitutes. However, this led a large number of couriers to effectively sub-let their positions to others, sometimes charging them hundreds of euros.Wolt said it will not be able to offer courier accounts to everyone who applied.Additionally, courier account holders will not be able to transfer accounts directly to people who shared them previously. According to the company, doing so would be unfair to those in the queue and could encourage couriers to sell their accounts.There was a temporary shortage of couriers when Wolt made the policy switch over the weekend.The firm said it anticipated such a situation and prepared for it by signing up new couriers in July.Wolt said there were two reasons for the courier relationship changes. It aims to get ahead of new upcoming laws affecting platform jobs as well as alcohol deliveries, while also addressing potential grey economy issues.The coming platform work and alcohol delivery laws both require that delivery firms verify the identities of their couriers.Wolt said it expects account holders who didn't actually make deliveries themselves will leave the platform following the change.