Apart from the "minimum guarantee", the union demanded the delivery platforms to remove the time-bound delivery guarantee when it rains, and also implement rain surges for all delivery workers.
Published Sep 04, 2024 | 12:38 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 04, 2024 | 12:38 PM
TGPWU demand safety measures for delivery workers in rains. (iStock)
As many parts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are reeling under the floods, caused by torrential rains, the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU) on Tuesday, 3 September in a statement urged the aggregator companies to cease operations in the flood-affected areas to ensure the workers’ safety.
Meanwhile, the union also demanded that the workers be compensated for loss of pay induced by the dire flood, as the “minimum guarantee”.
Shaik Salauddin, founder-president, of TGPWU, cited the media reports of delivery workers stranded in the flood waters.
Further, the statement mentioned the incident in Gajuwaka, Andhra Pradesh, where a delivery worker was harassed and assaulted by a man claiming to be a Sub-Inspector.
A @bigbasket_com delivery boy was harassed and assaulted by a man in Gajuwaka, Andhra Pradesh, who claimed to be a Sub Inspector. Despite the heavy rain, the delivery boy was diligently doing his job when the man hit him from behind, threw his bags away, and verbally abused him. pic.twitter.com/iVsOY1iGD9
— Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (@TGPWU) September 1, 2024
Taking into account that the IMD has predicted widespread rainfall in Telangana over the next seven days, and the damage to public infrastructures (including roads and major highways) due to heavy rains and flooding, the union put forward five demands to ensure the safety and well being of the workers and drivers.
Apart from the “minimum guarantee”, the union demanded the delivery platforms to remove the time-bound delivery guarantee when it rains, and also implement rain surges for all delivery workers.
They have also asked cab operators such as Ola and Uber to provide an amount of ₹1 lakh towards the cost of vehicle repair to all drivers whose vehicles (cabs and autos) have been damaged by the flash floods. As for the delivery workers, the union urged the companies to provide raincoats, rain-protective phone covers, extra charging chords, and power banks at no extra cost.
Finally, they urged the Telangana state government to urgently issue a directive to all platforms regarding the aforementioned matters.
Read our press note:
Amidst flooding and heavy rains in Telangana, @TGPWU calls for action by aggregator companies.తెలంగాణలో భారీగా వర్షాలు, వరదలు, అగ్రిగేటర్ కంపెనీలలో పనిచేస్తున్న డ్రైవర్లు,డెలివరీ బాయ్ లను తక్షణమే ఆదుకోవాలని (టీజీపీడబ్ల్యుయు) పిలుపునిచ్చింది. pic.twitter.com/i0pCHrQN9c
— Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (@TGPWU) September 3, 2024
(Edited by Sumavarsha Kandula)
