Mumbai, October 9: Delivery agents associated with food delivery platforms Swiggy and Zomato have launched an “indefinite strike” in Mumbai, a report said. The riders are demanding better working conditions and higher payouts. The Swiggy-Zomato Riders Strike in Mumbai is backed by the workers’ union affiliated with the Maharashtra-ruling Shiv Sena party, Rashtriya Karamchari Sena.

As per the media reports, the Swiggy-Zomato Riders Strike in Mumbai started on Sunday, October 8, 2023. Due to the strike, services were impacted in Bandra, Dadar and several parts of South Mumbai as well. The other demands of the workers include better distribution of orders and workloads, optimisation of pickup and drop distances, comprehensive insurance coverage for workers and their families, and equitable access to incentive programs. Zomato Delivery Boy Strike, Backed by Eknath Shinde-Led Shiv Sena Faction, Hits Mumbai Today, Know Their Demands.

Swiggy-Zomato Riders Strike in Mumbai

In addition, the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFATW) has called for a “Social Security Bill” for gig workers in Mumbai, similar to a recent legislation passed by the Rajasthan government. The IFATW has also demanded a “tripartite board” with “representatives from aggregators, worker organisations, and the government” to implement schemes for workers. Furthermore, it has asked that e-commerce platforms pay a “welfare cess” towards a collective fund for gig workers.

According to a worker interviewed by a local news outlet, after working for the company for about 8 years, they are facing a kind of demotion as their pay is shrinking. Another rider referred to the high cost of petrol and added that they have to cover 6 km for just Rs 20. Where they used to make Rs 100, they now only make Rs 40, according to another Swiggy rider

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 09, 2023 10:36 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).