"Lived a day as a delivery partner and saw the pressure firsthand...": Raghav Chadha
New Delhi, January 14
Aam Aadmi Party MP Raghav Chadha on Wednesday said he had spent a day as a delivery partner to understand firsthand the pressure and challenges associated with the job.
"I lived a day as a delivery partner and saw firsthand the pressure, risks and challenges created by the '10-minute delivery' promise... The reality behind the promise... RELEASING SOON...," he said in a post on X. The AAP MP attached a video with his post.
On Tuesday, Chadha celebrated the "win" for gig workers, saying "Satyamev Jayate. Together, we have won," he said, after quick commerce platforms agreed to drop their 10-minute delivery promises.
"This is a much-needed step because when '10 minutes' is printed on a rider's t-shirt/ jacket/ bag and a timer runs on the customer's screen, the pressure is real, constant, and dangerous. This step will help ensure the safety of the delivery riders and everyone who shares our roads," he added.
Chadha had been vocal about the "cruelty" of 10-minute delivery targets, which he said pushed workers to take risks on the road.
Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has persuaded major delivery aggregators to remove the mandatory 10-minute delivery deadline, following a series of sustained interventions, sources said.
A meeting was held with leading platforms, including Blinkit, Zepto, Zomato and Swiggy, among others to address concerns related to delivery timelines.
Chadha spoke about the "pain" of India's gig workers during the winter session of Parliament, stating that they work under tremendous pressure and at times in harsh weather conditions.
He had demanded regulations for quick commerce and other app-based delivery and service businesses, emphasising the need for social security benefits for gig workers. He also called for dignity, protection, and fair pay for gig workers.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Respect to Raghav Chadha for actually experiencing the job. Most politicians just talk. This is how you understand ground reality. Hope this leads to proper social security for gig workers.
As someone who orders frequently, I never thought about the timer pressure on the rider. I'll be more patient from now on. The convenience shouldn't come at the cost of someone's safety.
Good move, but this is just the first step. What about fair pay, insurance, and benefits? These companies make crores, they can afford to treat their partners better. The fight must continue.
I appreciate the sentiment, but let's be honest - was this a one-day PR stunt or will there be sustained policy work? Hope it's the latter. The gig economy needs robust regulation in India.
As a Blinkit user, I'm happy to wait 20 minutes if it means the delivery person reaches safely. We need to change our mindset as customers too. #SafetyFirst
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