Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Raghav Chadha said Satyamev Jayate while celebrating the victory of gig workers on Tuesday. Because instant commerce platforms have agreed to abandon their promise of delivery in 10 minutes.
The move follows Chadha’s efforts advocating for better working conditions and social security benefits for delivery workers. In a post on social media, the AAP MP wrote, “Satyamev Jayate. We all win together.”
He further added, “This is a much-needed step because when a delivery rider has ’10 minutes’ written on his T-shirt/jacket/bag and a timer is running on the customer’s screen, the pressure is real, constant and dangerous. This step will help ensure the safety of delivery riders and everyone who walks our way.”
Chadha had openly expressed his opinion about the “cruelty” of the 10-minute delivery target, which he said forces workers to take risks on the road.
He also worked undercover as a delivery agent to highlight workers’ problems. The intervention of the Union Labor Minister led to a meeting with these platforms, as a result of which the 10-minute delivery promise was dropped.
He further added, “Over the last few months, I have spoken to hundreds of delivery partners. Many of them are overworked, underpaid and risking their lives to fulfill an unrealistic promise. I thank every citizen who stood with us, you stood firmly in favor of human life, safety and dignity. And to every gig worker – you are not alone, we are all with you.”
It is noteworthy that in a recent Parliament session, a Rajya Sabha member from the Aam Aadmi Party talked about the “pain and suffering” of India’s gig workers, who work under extreme pressure and sometimes in inclement weather conditions.
Aam Aadmi Party MP Raghav Chadha had sought to make rules for instant commerce and other app-based delivery and service businesses, while also stressing the need for social security benefits for gig workers. In his address to Parliament, the Rajya Sabha MP demanded respect, safety and fair wages for gig workers.
According to sources, Union Labor Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has convinced major delivery aggregators to remove the mandatory 10-minute delivery time limit after a series of successive interventions.
A meeting was held with several leading platforms including BlinkIt, Zepto, Zomato and Swiggy to address concerns regarding delivery time. According to sources, BlinkIt has removed the 10-minute delivery promise from its branding following the directive.
Other aggregators are also expected to follow the same path in the coming days. The move aims to ensure greater safety, security and better working conditions for gig workers.
According to sources, as part of this change, BlinkIt has updated its brand message. The company’s main tagline has been changed from “Over 10,000 products delivered in 10 minutes” to “Over 30,000 products delivered at your doorstep”.