Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha expressed strong solidarity with gig workers nationwide who participated in a symbolic strike advocating for fair wages, improved working conditions, and social security from major delivery and e-commerce platforms. Chadha engaged with protesting gig workers on New Year’s Eve at Old Rajinder Nagar in Delhi, where workers from various companies had gathered to voice their concerns. The peaceful protest aimed to highlight the challenges faced by gig workers, who play a vital role in India’s urban workforce.
Chadha, in a social media post, shared that he spent time with gig workers at Old Rajinder Nagar during their symbolic strike to amplify their demands. He described the workers’ requests as reasonable and stood in unity with their appeals for fair pay, respect at work, and social protection. The strike, organized jointly by the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU) and the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT), led to a significant number of delivery partners across various states either logging off their apps or reducing their work activities.
The nationwide strike, supported by Chadha, impacted services on a busy commercial day, resulting in delays and cancellations in multiple cities. Chadha clarified that the strike’s purpose was not to disrupt services but to ensure that the voices of workers reached decision-makers. He emphasized the human aspect of gig workers, highlighting issues such as low and unpredictable pay, extended working hours, lack of social security, and the absence of dignity in their work environment.
Chadha criticized the pressure imposed by ultra-fast delivery models, noting the adverse effects of the “10-minute delivery torture” on workers’ physical and mental well-being. He pointed out that failing to meet such tight deadlines exposed delivery partners to customer dissatisfaction and penalties. Chadha called upon platform managements like Blinkit, Zepto, Swiggy, and Zomato to engage in constructive dialogues with their workers to find fair and compassionate solutions.
The MP stressed that India’s progress should not be built on insecurity and exploitation but on principles of justice, dignity, and respect for labor. Referring to his meeting with a Blinkit delivery partner, Himanshu Thapliyal, who gained attention for discussing gig workers’ meager earnings, Chadha mentioned that understanding workers’ challenges through direct interactions helped in conveying these issues to platform authorities. Chadha condemned any threats made against participating delivery partners, asserting that intimidation has no place in a democratic society.
Expressing optimism for a resolution, Chadha highlighted the crucial role of gig workers in the e-commerce sector and emphasized the need for immediate attention to their concerns. With growing voices across the nation and parliamentary discussions on the matter, Chadha expressed hope for a positive outcome through inclusive dialogues.
