In a striking move to understand the ground realities of India's burgeoning gig economy, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Member of Parliament Raghav Chadha recently spent a full day working as a delivery agent for the quick-commerce platform Blinkit. The exercise, conducted on January 12, 2026, was aimed at firsthand exposure to the daily challenges confronting delivery workers.
A Day in the Life of a Delivery Partner
Dressed in the company's standard uniform, Chadha accompanied an experienced Blinkit delivery partner across the city. He actively participated in completing customer orders, experiencing a regular shift from start to finish. This wasn't a staged photo-op but a genuine attempt to immerse himself in the routine, navigating traffic, managing delivery timelines, and interacting with customers and the app's system.
Through this hands-on experience, the AAP parliamentarian identified several critical issues plaguing the workforce that powers India's fast-growing quick-commerce sector. The key concerns he highlighted were not abstract but observed and felt during his stint.
Core Issues Facing Gig Workers
Chadha's primary takeaways focused on systemic problems within the gig economy model. He pointed to the inadequate pay structures that often fail to compensate for the effort and time invested. The necessity for excessively long working hours to earn a sustainable income was another glaring problem he noted.
Furthermore, the MP emphasized the significant safety risks delivery personnel face on the roads, often without adequate insurance or support from the platforms. Underpinning all these issues is the pervasive lack of job security and social benefits, leaving workers in a perpetual state of uncertainty.
From Ground Experience to Parliamentary Advocacy
This initiative is not an isolated act for Raghav Chadha. He has been a consistent voice in Parliament and on public platforms advocating for the rights and welfare of gig workers. His direct experience is intended to add substantial weight to his ongoing advocacy.
The ultimate goal of this exercise is to push for concrete policy reforms and fairer working conditions in the gig economy. By bridging the gap between political discourse and on-ground reality, Chadha aims to bring data-driven, empathetic arguments to the forefront of legislative discussions. His action underscores the urgent need for a regulatory framework that protects the millions who form the backbone of the digital delivery ecosystem.
The move has sparked fresh conversations about the responsibilities of quick-commerce companies towards their delivery partners and the role of the government in ensuring a balanced and equitable growth of this sector.
