Hyderabad: Several districts in Telangana are currently facing severe waterlogging and flash floods. In response to these challenging conditions, the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers’ Union (TGPWU) has voiced serious concerns about the safety of delivery and ride-hailing workers. The union is urging companies to remove time-bound delivery guarantees and to provide workers with rain-protective gear.
According to TGPWU, delivery workers employed by various food and grocery apps are being forced to navigate heavily waterlogged streets. In one alarming incident, a delivery worker in Gajuwaka, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, was reportedly harassed and assaulted by a man claiming to be a Sub-Inspector.
Shaik Salauddin, the founder-president of TGPWU, stressed the importance of protecting gig workers, especially since the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted widespread light to moderate rainfall in Telangana over the next seven days.
Given the extensive damage to public infrastructure, including roads and highways, due to the heavy rains and flooding, TGPWU is deeply concerned about the safety of workers. The union is urging companies to halt operations in flood-affected areas and compensate workers with a “minimum guarantee” to offset any loss of income caused by the severe weather.
The union is also calling on all delivery platforms, such as Zomato, Swiggy, Blinkit, Zepto, and BigBasket, to remove time-bound delivery guarantees in areas experiencing rainfall. Additionally, they are asking these companies to provide raincoats, rain-protective phone covers, extra charging cords, and power banks to their delivery workers at no extra cost.
Furthermore, TGPWU is demanding that ride-hailing companies like Uber, Ola, and Rapido offer Rs 1 lakh to drivers whose vehicles have been damaged by the floods to help cover repair costs.
Finally, TGPWU is appealing to the Telangana government to issue urgent directives to all platforms to ensure the safety and fair treatment of gig workers during these harsh weather conditions.
