The Indian government has taken a firm stand on the contentious issue of delivery timelines in the quick commerce sector. On Tuesday, Union Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya held a crucial meeting with top executives from leading delivery platforms. Representatives from Blinkit, Zepto, Zomato, and Swiggy attended the discussion.
Immediate Action Follows Ministerial Directive
Following the meeting, sources confirmed that Blinkit acted promptly on the government's directive. The company removed the 10-minute delivery promise from its branding. An industry executive revealed that Swiggy has also begun the process of eliminating this deadline from its platform. Other major aggregators are expected to follow suit in the coming days.
A government official explained the rationale behind this intervention. "The move is aimed at ensuring greater safety, security and improved working conditions for gig workers," the official stated. This decision comes amid growing concerns about the pressures faced by delivery partners.
Worker Unions Applaud Government Intervention
The Telangana Gig and Platform Workers' Union and the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers welcomed the Labour Minister's timely intervention. They noted that this action has already resulted in major delivery aggregators removing what they called "unsafe 10-minute delivery deadlines."
Shaik Salauddin, founder president of TGPWU and national general secretary of IFAT, elaborated on the workers' perspective. "The 10-minute delivery model forced delivery partners into dangerous road behaviour, extreme stress and unsafe working conditions," he said. Salauddin described this intervention as a victory for all gig and platform workers.
This development follows significant worker protests. Thousands of delivery workers participated in a nationwide strike on New Year's Eve. Their demands included better pay, enhanced safety protection, and proper social security benefits.
The Broader Debate on India's Gig Economy
The online arguments surrounding this issue reflect a larger conversation about India's gig economy. According to a NITI Aayog report, this sector employed approximately 7.7 million people in 2020-21. Experts estimate this number has increased significantly since then. Projections suggest it could reach 23.5 million workers by 2029-30.
Zomato founder Deepinder Goyal offered a different perspective on the 10-minute delivery model. He argued that critics misunderstand how the gig economy operates. According to Goyal, the promise is enabled by strategic store density and careful planning, not by pushing delivery partners to ride faster.
Goyal explained the operational details. Dark stores are strategically located close to residential neighborhoods. Items are picked and packed within two-and-a-half minutes. Delivery partners typically travel less than two kilometers at an average speed of 15 kilometers per hour. Importantly, delivery partners do not see the promised delivery time on their app interface.
Worker Concerns About Compensation Structures
Delivery workers have raised concerns about changing payment structures. They report that per-delivery rates on these platforms have been declining. A new milestone-based and distance-dependent incentive structure has taken its place.
This system means workers receive extra cash for completing a specific number of deliveries each day. The distance they travel to complete these deliveries also factors into their earnings. Workers argue this structure creates additional pressure and uncertainty.
Government's Broader Social Security Initiatives
The Labour Ministry has been implementing measures to bring gig and platform workers under the protection of labour laws. Last year, the government notified the Code on Social Security. This landmark legislation brings gig and platform workers under a formal welfare framework for the first time in India.
The code enables worker registration on a national database. It opens access to various social security schemes. These include health coverage, disability benefits, accident insurance, and old-age support. The legislation aims to provide basic protections to millions of workers despite their non-traditional employment arrangements.
The Code envisions creating a dedicated Social Security Fund for gig and platform workers. Contributions will come from multiple sources. These include Central and state governments, corporate social responsibility funds, and fines collected through compounding.
Major aggregators like Amazon, Flipkart, Swiggy, and Zomato will have specific obligations. They must contribute 1-2 percent of their annual turnover toward this fund. The total contribution is capped at 5 percent of the amount payable by these companies to their workers.
Political Support for Worker Rights
Among the vocal supporters of delivery workers was AAP MP Raghav Chadha. He has consistently raised this issue both inside Parliament and in public forums. On New Year's Eve, Chadha spent time with delivery riders in Delhi's Old Rajinder Nagar area.
The MP emphasized that these workers have played a crucial role in building instant commerce companies. He noted they are now forced to protest simply to have their voices heard. This political attention highlights the growing significance of gig worker rights in national discourse.
The government's directive marks a significant shift in how quick commerce platforms operate in India. It reflects increasing awareness about the human cost behind rapid delivery services. As companies adjust their policies, the focus remains on creating sustainable working conditions for India's growing gig workforce.
