Approximately 200 Swiggy delivery partners staged a protest at GMDC Ground in Ahmedabad, demanding an end to what they perceive as exploitation. The demonstrators had gathered from various parts of the state to voice their concerns.
Demands for Standardized Rate Card and Removal of Slot System
Jay Kumar, the head of the Swiggy Riders Association, stated that their primary demand is to standardize the rate card in Gujarat, regardless of the region’s demand. They also called for the elimination of the slot system or making it available throughout the day. The slot system currently requires delivery partners to work in two four-hour slots each day. Failure to meet the slot requirements results in penalties on the entire day’s earnings.
Fair Compensation and Other Demands
The protesters also demanded fair compensation for cancelled orders, highlighting that delivery partners are forced to bear the financial burden when an order is cancelled midway. Additionally, they called for extra compensation when delivering to a different location than originally mentioned on the application, as well as comprehensive insurance coverage for all delivery partners.
Allegations of Manipulation and Company Response
Azad Patel, a gig worker, accused Swiggy of manipulating the online system to exploit the delivery partners, backing up their claims with screenshots as evidence. Furthermore, Patel claimed that the company has been shutting down the accounts of those participating in the protest, exerting pressure to end the demonstration.
Bhavesh Solanki, Swiggy’s Head of City Operations in Ahmedabad, declined to comment on the matter. However, the company released a statement acknowledging the inconvenience caused by the protest and emphasized that they are actively communicating with the delivery executives to resolve the situation promptly. Swiggy expressed their commitment to resume services as soon as possible.
Also Read The Latest News:
Google releases Android 14 Beta 4 with bug fixes and new unlocking feature
Wipro launches Wipro ai360, commits $1 billion investment in AI