The Union government has asked leading food delivery and quick-commerce companies to rethink their ultra-fast delivery promises, warning that speed should not come at the cost of delivery workers’ lives.
Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Tuesday held meetings with representatives of platforms such as Blinkit, Zepto, Swiggy and Zomato, urging them to move away from rigid delivery-time guarantees like “10-minute delivery.” He emphasised that such commitments often put delivery partners under intense pressure, increasing the risk of accidents on crowded city roads.
According to officials, the companies agreed to remove strict delivery timelines from their apps, advertisements and social media promotions. Soon after the discussions, Blinkit was seen taking down its popular “10-minute delivery” claim across branding platforms.
According to media reports, the government’s intervention is being viewed as a positive development for gig workers, many of whom have long complained about unrealistic deadlines and unsafe working conditions. Concerns around the safety, wages and social security of delivery partners have gained momentum in recent weeks.
Adding to the spotlight on the issue, Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha has been vocal about the everyday struggles faced by gig workers. On Monday, he posted a video documenting his experience as a delivery partner for a day in Delhi. Wearing a quick-commerce jacket and travelling on a two-wheeler, Chadha navigated heavy traffic while making deliveries to understand the realities of the job.
He said the exercise was meant to connect with gig workers at ground level rather than discussing their problems only in policy forums. Earlier this month, Chadha had also welcomed the government’s draft social security rules for gig workers, calling them a starting point towards ensuring dignity and protection for the sector.
The MP has additionally backed delivery partners who staged a symbolic nationwide protest on New Year’s Eve, demanding fair pay, safer working conditions and social security benefits. The action, organised by gig worker unions, saw thousands logging off apps or scaling down work, leading to service disruptions on one of the busiest days for deliveries.
Chadha has described the demands as reasonable, underlining that gig workers play an essential role in keeping India’s urban economy running.
Also Read: Last-Minute Orders On Dec 31? Gig Worker Strike Might Ruin Your Plans https://www.vibesofindia.com/last-minute-orders-on-dec-31-gig-worker-strike-might-ruin-your-plans/
