Telangana delivery, gig workers take part in all-India strike on Dec 25 and 31 over pay, safety issues
In Bengaluru alone, nearly 2,000 delivery workers are expected to take part in the offline protest
By - Sri Lakshmi Muttevi
Hyderabad: Delivery and gig workers affiliated with leading e-commerce and food delivery platforms, including Swiggy, Zomato, Zepto, Blinkit, Amazon and Flipkart, have announced an all-India strike on December 25 and December 31 to protest worsening working conditions.
Gig workers appeal to riders to stay at home
In a video message, gig workers appealed to delivery riders across the country to stay indoors on December 25 and 31, days that usually see the highest volume of orders. They also urged the Centre and state governments to immediately regulate aggregator companies and ensure the enforcement of labour protection laws.
The strike has been called by the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers, in coordination with Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU).
What are the demands:
1. Withdrawal of ‘10-minute delivery’ models, which they say put their lives at risk.
2. Better fair and transparent pay structures, better incentives.
3. Mandatory rest breaks and reasonable working hours.
4. They have also called for an end to arbitrary ID blocking and penalties without due process.
5. Sought a job and social security, including health insurance, accident cover and pension benefits, besides dignity and respect at the workplace.
Long working hours, unsafe delivery targets
Highlighting the challenges faced by delivery personnel, Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU) president Shaik Salauddin said that despite being the backbone of last-mile delivery, especially during festivals and peak seasons, workers are subjected to long working hours, declining incomes, unsafe delivery targets, arbitrary account suspensions, lack of job security and the absence of basic welfare protections.
In Bengaluru alone, nearly 2,000 delivery workers are expected to take part in the offline protest, which could lead to disruptions in food delivery, grocery supplies and e-commerce services throughout the day.
