AAP’s Raghav Chadha Calls for Ban on 10-Minute Deliveries, Urges Protection for Gig Workers
Raghav Chadha demands banning 10-minute deliveries to protect gig workers' rights and safety.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Leader Raghav Chadha on Friday called for an immediate ban on 10-minute delivery services, describing the practice as "cruel" towards gig workers who risk their lives to meet impossible deadlines. He raised the issue during the Zero Hour in the Rajya Sabha, urging lawmakers to consider the welfare of delivery personnel who are often overlooked despite being critical to the economy.
Chadha emphasized that delivery personnel are not machines but individuals with families, saying, “These people are not robots. They are also someone’s father, husband, brother, or son. The cruelty of this 10-minute delivery should end.” He argued that while consumers benefit from instant deliveries, gig workers face extreme pressure to meet these deadlines.
The AAP leader highlighted that gig workers for platforms like Zomato, Swiggy, Blinkit, Zepto, Ola, and Uber, as well as home service providers, are the "invisible wheels of the Indian economy." He pointed out that the convenience of instant notifications and on-demand services often masks the human toil and risks behind them.
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Chadha outlined three major challenges faced by gig workers: the pressure of speed and delivery deadlines, harassment from customers, and hazardous working conditions. He warned that the push for 10-minute deliveries compels workers to overspeed, jump red lights, and compromise safety, fearing rating drops, incentive cuts, and potential app logouts.
He also stressed the precarious nature of gig employment. Workers often labor 12-14 hours daily in harsh weather without protective gear, bonuses, or insurance, and lack permanent employment or humane working conditions. Despite these hardships, they continue to deliver with a smile, hiding their struggles and insecurities.
Chadha concluded by urging lawmakers to address these issues urgently, stressing that the safety, dignity, and fair treatment of gig workers must be prioritized over ultra-fast delivery targets. He called for systemic reforms to ensure that the invisible workforce driving India’s digital economy is adequately protected.
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