India’s 10-minute delivery boom sparks safety crisis for gig workers
Ultra-fast delivery services in India are facing growing criticism over worker safety. Companies like Zepto, Blinkit, and Amazon promise deliveries in 10 to 15 minutes, but concerns have been raised about the risks to delivery personnel and road users. Devina Mehra, founder of First Global, has spoken out against the practice, calling for stricter regulations to protect workers.
Mehra argues that 10-minute timer targets push workers to ride dangerously, increasing accidents on busy roads. She highlights issues like distracted riders using navigation apps and drivers ignoring zebra crossings, making streets less safe for everyone. She also questions whether such rapid deliveries are truly necessary, noting she has never used these informed delivery services herself.
The Gig and Platform Service Workers Union has taken a strong stance against ultra-fast deliveries. They announced a nationwide strike on New Year’s Eve, demanding better pay, job security, and an end to arbitrary penalties. Among their key demands is the removal of 10-minute timer options, which they claim force workers to speed and take unnecessary risks. Mehra supports the union’s position, warning that companies profit from unsafe working conditions without bearing the costs. She references the 'tragedy of the commons,' where shared resources like roads suffer due to reckless business practices. While no official stance from gig worker unions on these services has been widely reported, the strike signals growing dissatisfaction with current working conditions.
The debate over 10-minute deliveries centres on balancing convenience with safety. Workers and advocates are pushing for legal protections to prevent exploitation and reduce road hazards. The outcome of the union’s demands could shape how delivery services operate in India moving forward.
Read also:
- Federal Funding Supports Increase in Family Medicine Residency Program, Focusing on Rural Health Developments
- Potential Role of DHA in Shielding the Brain from Saturated Fats?
- Alternative Gentle Retinoid: Exploring Bakuchiol Salicylate for Sensitive Skin
- Hanoi initiates a trial program for rabies control, along with efforts to facilitate the transition from the dog and cat meat trade industry.
