Instamart service

The Swiggy unit affiliated with the Rashtriya Karamchari Sena, a workers’ union in Maharashtra, has initiated an indefinite strike. Delivery workers employed by the Bengaluru-based food delivery giant are demanding higher wages and improved working conditions. This marks the third day of the ongoing strike, during which delivery personnel have been conducting bike rallies while displaying placards outlining their demands. The strike has had a noticeable impact on food delivery services, including Swiggy’s Instamart service in Mumbai, as local residents are unable to place orders through the company’s app. The core grievance of these delivery personnel, who currently receive Rs 20 for covering a six-kilometre distance, is their struggle to make ends meet due to soaring fuel prices. They argue that they now earn only around Rs 40, a significant drop from the earlier days when they could earn Rs 100. Their compensation is based on a per-order payment system, which factors in the distance travelled for delivery, incentives, and surge pay. In May 2023, a similar strike occurred among Swiggy’s delivery personnel in Chennai. This protest arose in response to the platform’s reduction of various employee benefits, such as delivery fees, incentives, and petrol allowances. Employees were also frustrated by fines imposed for late deliveries, without any consideration for their concerns. It’s worth noting that the Chennai strike was initiated following proper notice provided to both the company and the labour department.