Gig Workers Hold Nationwide Strike on New Year’s Eve

New Delhi: Platform-based delivery workers affiliated with the Federation of Indian App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT) observed a nationwide strike on Wednesday; It protested unfair working conditions, low wages and the absence of social security, warning that delivery services could be severely disrupted during peak hours.

According to food delivery agents, despite spending long hours on the road, their income has decreased significantly, leaving them in a financial bind.

A delivery representative said that employees are generally required to be polite and courteous to customers, regardless of the difficulties they encounter during delivery. He added that drivers are penalized even if their orders are canceled for reasons beyond their control.

“We are also participating in the strike. There are many reasons for this. For example, the wage schedule. We are not getting enough salary. The company does not provide insurance… When we go to the customer, no matter how much trouble we face, we smile and say, ‘Thank you sir, please rate us.’ If the order is canceled for any reason, the penalty falls on the rider… The company needs to take precautions in this regard. We work 14 hours a day, we spend our days and nights on the roads… We do not get paid according to the amount of work we do,” he told ANI.

Another delivery worker said that although the fare structure was reasonable in the initial phase, recent changes have made it increasingly difficult for passengers to earn a better income. He cited the case of a cyclist who had an accident in the Barakhamba area and could not receive any insurance support from the company.

“Initially the fare list was good, but now they have changed it, which has caused difficulties and problems for all the drivers. We are not even getting insurance claims. Recently a driver had an accident in Barakhamba and did not file any claim… Our team leader and senior company officials told him to create a PDF and they would send it to Bangalore… There was no response from there. We all donated Rs 1000-2000 to help that driver. Now that guy is even working at night “He takes orders at 1 o’clock, at 2 o’clock… After 20-25 calls, TL answers the phone, if you argue even a little, he blocks your ID… After working for 14 hours, we get only Rs 700-800… There is a strike all over Delhi today,” he said.

The worker also alleged that team leaders were often unresponsive and in some cases blocked drivers’ identities if they raised concerns. “After working for 14 hours, we can only earn 700 to 800 rupees. Despite this, most of us have to continue working late into the night,” he added.

Another delivery agency said services were completely stopped in many areas as part of the protest. “Currently, deliveries have been stopped… We heard that there is a strike, so we are not working at all… We are grateful to the company that gave us a lot in the beginning. But now they are taking back everything they gave… Other companies give promotions, but here we are just demoted… We have to work 15-16 hours to make a living,” he said.

Earlier, Aam Aadmi Party’s Rajya Sabha MP Raghav reiterated the call for a ban on 10-minute delivery apps, alleging that the same companies are oppressing gig workers and stabbing their evaluations on their backs, only enriching the companies. “Nowadays, Swiggy Zomato delivery drivers, Blinkit Zepto drivers, Ola Uber drivers, a workforce behind which these big companies have turned into unicorns; they have billion-dollar valuations. In this entire ecosystem that has been created, if there is one group of people who are oppressed and are under immense pressure, it is the gig workers,” the AAP MP said during an exclusive interview with ANI. he said.

Chadha said a gig worker covered by the 10-minute delivery guarantee drives recklessly, becomes increasingly anxious, risks losing incentives and customer abuse if delivery is late, and fails to receive regular labor protections.

As part of improving workers’ working conditions and rights, Chadha suggested fixing gig workers’ working hours to encourage people to stop working 14-16 hours a day. (MOMENT)