Delhi: Delivery workers associated with the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT) held a nationwide strike on Wednesday, protesting low pay, lack of insurance, and challenging work conditions. The strike has led to disruptions in food deliveries, especially during peak hours, as workers demand fair treatment from platform-based companies.
Workers say that despite long hours on the road, their earnings have dropped significantly. Many riders also face penalties for canceled orders, even when circumstances are beyond their control, and report that customer service expectations remain strict regardless of the challenges they encounter.
“One of the main issues is the rate card. Our pay does not reflect the amount of work we put in. There is no insurance support, and if an order gets canceled, the penalty falls on us. We work 14 hours a day and still only earn Rs 700-800 in some cases,” a delivery worker told ANI.
Riders also highlighted difficulties with insurance claims. In one incident, a worker who suffered an accident in Barakhamba did not receive timely support from the company, forcing colleagues to chip in financially to help him. Team leaders, they say, often remain unresponsive, and raising concerns can lead to account blocks or other punitive actions.
Another worker noted, “Deliveries have been stopped in several areas due to the strike. Initially, companies offered incentives and promotions, but now they are taking away benefits while expecting us to work 15-16 hours to make ends meet.”
Political leaders have also weighed in on the issue. Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha MP Raghav called for banning ultra-fast 10-minute delivery apps, stating that gig workers are overworked and exploited while companies profit massively. He emphasized that reckless delivery pressures, coupled with insufficient worker protections, place riders at high risk and mental stress.
To address these concerns, IFAT and allied activists are calling for reforms, including regulated working hours, insurance coverage, and fair pay structures to ensure that gig workers are not forced into excessive work to meet incentive targets.
The strike is seen as a significant push to improve the rights and welfare of delivery workers across India’s rapidly expanding gig economy.
