‘Work 14-15 hours, salary is very low’, what are the problems of the gig workers who are striking?

Gig workers working in companies like Swiggy, Zomato, Blinkit and Zepto are on strike today. Gig workers are striking over working conditions, low salaries and lack of social security. Gig workers have called this strike on the occasion of New Year, due to which the delivery service during peak hours can be badly affected.

Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFWW)IFAT) and Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU) Has called this strike. The federation says that delivery workers have to work for long hours but despite this they neither get proper salary nor job security. Gig workers also say that ’10 minute delivery model‘ should be abolished.

Agents providing door-to-door food delivery through Swiggy and Zomato say that despite working for long hours, their earnings have reduced, due to which they are financially distressed.

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What do gig workers say??

Gig workers are those employees who get paid according to the tasks they complete. They do not have any fixed salary, nor in most cases PF, Facilities like insurance, leave.

A food delivery agent said, ‘Deliveries are currently closed. We heard there is a strike, so we are not working at all. We are thankful that the company gave us a lot in the beginning. But now they are taking back everything they gave. Other companies give promotion, but here we are only getting demotion. To run the house we have to work 15-16 hours.‘

A food delivery agent said,‘Initially the rate card was fine, but now they have changed it, due to which all the riders are facing problems and hassles. We don’t even get an insurance claim. Recently a rider had an accident in Barakhamba and he did not get any claim. Our team leader and senior company officials gave him a PDF Asked to make it, which they would send to Bangalore. No reply came from there. We all together gave Rs 1000-2000 to help that rider. Now that boy is working even at night, taking orders at 1 or 2 in the night.‘

He said,‘The team leader never picks up the phone. Answers with swagger after 20 or 25 calls. And if you argue with him even a little, he will ID Blocks it. After working for 14 hours we are getting only Rs 700-800. Today there is strike in entire Delhi.‘

Another food delivery agent said, ‘We are also taking part in the strike. There are many reasons for this. For example, rate card. We don’t get enough money. The company does not provide insurance. When we go to the customer, no matter how much trouble we are in, we smile and say, ‘Thank you sir, give us the rating.’ If the order is canceled for any reason, a penalty is imposed on the rider. The company should take action in this matter.

Gig workers say we work 14 hours a day, spend day and night on the road. We do not get paid according to our work.‘

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What are the demands of gig workers??

Earlier on December 25, gig workers had also gone on strike. TGPWU Founder and President Sheikh Salauddin said, ‘There was a demand from our platform companies that our old payout structure should be re-implemented and the option of 10 minute delivery should be removed from all the platforms. We had called for a strike on 25th and 31st. On 25th, 40 thousand workers across India came out in support of it.‘

uHe had said that we are ready to discuss this. He had also requested the state and central government to intervene in this matter.

One demand of the striking gig workers was that breaks should be given during work and workers should not be made to work more than the stipulated time. He has also sought social security for himself like health insurance, accident cover and pension.