Quick commerce and food delivery riders have started their planned pan-India strike from Hyderabad on Wednesday, according to Shaik Salauddin, president, Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU).Several workers in Hyderabad gathered with placards and shouted slogans demanding better pay and safer working conditions. The riders are conducting the strike demanding job security, higher pay, and social security benefits.
About 170,000 delivery personnel have confirmed to the gig workers’ union that they will be joining the strike planned for December 31 across the country.
What are the demands?
Ahead of the strike today, the TGPWU president called for the removal of the 10-minute delivery service from all food and grocery platforms offering the same.
“Our demands are clear. We want the removal of the 10-minute delivery option since it’s leading to accidents, injuries, and mental stress,” Salauddin told ET. “We are ready to conduct discussions with the companies but they haven’t reached out to us yet. We want the government to take necessary steps for the welfare of gig workers.”
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Call for a strike
The Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers and TGPWU had called for two strikes — on December 25 and 31, which are the busiest days of the year for quick commerce and food delivery. For the past two years, platforms have been reporting record orders on these days.
On Christmas, about 40,000 riders across the country conducted strikes and bike rallies, which led to 50-60% of orders being delayed, according to the unions.
Anticipating a bigger impact, the platforms have offered higher incentives, better earning opportunities, and possibility of earning prizes if the delivery staff work on December 31 and January 1, and fulfil a certain number of orders.
