Potable water, cooling break, SOS medical support: Delivery persons seek heat protection from labour ministry

As parts of India grapple with intense heatwave, gig workers working across delivery (Blinkit, Swiggy, Zepto, Zomato, etc.); ride-hailing (Uber, Ola, Rapido, etc); and home services segments (Urban Company, Snabbit, Pronto, etc.) have urged the Union Labour Ministry to mandate measures that protect them from the blistering heat.

In a letter, which was accessed by Mint, the Indian Federation of App-based Transport Workers (IFAT) has urged the ministry to institute binding heatwave protections for gig and platform workers based on the framework stated in the Code of Social Security, 2020.

What gig workers demand:

Here is a list of measures that the union sought:

• Paid cooling breaks, when the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issues orange or red alerts due to intense heat
• Mandatory access to drinking water, ORS solutions and cooling shelters
• Heat distress emergency support systems installed in the workers’ side of the apps
• Protection from penalties, ID blocks, or reduced incentives during heat-related pauses

The letter pointed out how countries across the world — including South Korea, Singapore, France, Japan and the UAE — have already introduced enforceable protection from scorching heat.

“India must act now. Heat protection is not a privilege. It is a labour right, a public health necessity and a matter of dignity of millions of workers powering the platform economy,” said Shaik Salauddin, National General Secretary, IFAT.

Meanwhile, the Gig and Platform Service Worker Union (GIPSWU) has urged the Delhi government to take note of the heatwave conditions in the capital city and act to safeguard lakhs of gig workers from the harsh climate.

In this regard, it proposed to pause work between noon and 3 pm, when the heat is most severe. The union also sought faster implementation of promised Budget measures, including:

• Rest facilities
• Access to Atal canteens
• Breathable clothing and heat-safe gear.
• Extra protections for women workers, including safe rest stops and access to clean toilets

Appeal: A glass of water

The Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU) urged customers to offer a glass of water to delivery workers, who brave the direct heat for at least eight hours daily to safely deliver food or groceries.

In a post on social media platform X, the union wrote, “When it’s 43-45 degrees Celsius outside, imagine standing in the heat all day…they don’t ask for much–just respect and sometimes a glass of water. A small gesture from you can mean everything (sic).”

Even as food and grocery delivery platforms braced themselves for a surge in demand during the summer and busy IPL season, it was unusually tough to forecast their rider availability this year as a result of Assembly elections and the LPG crisis caused by the Iran war, The Economic Times reported.

The unions named in the story have been central in championing gig workers’ rights and had called for a nationwide strike demanding the removal of 10-minute deliveries on Christmas and New Year eves last year.

Response from Eternal

In a response sent to Mint, Eternal- the parent company of Zomato and Blinkit - stated that it was doubling down on its commitment to delivery partner health and well being.

“Blinkit dark stores are being equipped for summer with pedestal fans, air coolers, benches, and water dispensers in place. Additionally, over 1.5 lakh glucose sachets are being distributed daily to delivery partners across dark stores,” an Eternal spokesperson told Mint.

Blinkit also expanded its Doctor@Store service, a free doctor consultation and medical treatment service, to cover 50% of all dark stores. Previously, it was available only at select stores.

Meanwhile, Zomato stated that its delivery partners have access to more than 5,000 rest points across India through collaborations with restaurant partners. These rest points offer water, shade, seating, and washroom facilities to help them take a break while waiting for orders to be prepared.

The food delivery app also said that cooling gear was available to its delivery partners at subsidised rates, including a lightweight sunscreen jacket that offers “UPF 50+ protection, sun protection, and anti-tan benefits, designed for everyday outdoor use.”

These measures are in addition to the following listed initiatives:

• broadening the health and accidental insurance cover given to delivery partners and their family
• SOS support for medical emergency and access to ambulance services
• Nudging customers through friendly reminders to offer a glass of water, or tips to delivery persons.

Mint has reached out to all the platform-based apps named in the story and will update the story once they respond.