In response to the organised protests, Blinkit blocked the worker IDs of delivery partners in a complete violation of the freedom of association guaranteed under Article 19.
ON APRIL 26, OVER 150 GIG WORKERS WORKING WITH BLINKIT - an online instant delivery app owned by Zomato - went on a strike to protest policy changes by the company. The workers had a list of eleven demands, including higher wages, availability of shaded areas and water, and cotton uniforms, among other things. The company, however, responded by blocking their worker IDs. Gig and Platform Services Workers Union (‘GIPSWU’) - a trade union working to improve the conditions of the gig economy - alleges that the company also sent a representative to intimidate the workers by threatening police action, and demanded that they sign affidavits vowing never to strike again. They complain that this is unconstitutional and exploitative of labour laws.
As India prepares for an intense summer, the National Disaster Management Authority (‘NDMA’) has issued red alerts for heatwaves and released safety guidelines to help citizens stay protected. However, delivery personnel, who travel long distances on bikes and scooters, are expected to work through peak heat hours, often without access to paid breaks, washrooms, rest stops, or any heat-related compensation. To further exacerbate the issue, Blinkit’s new incentive guideline has made it compulsory to work during peak heat hours (between 12 noon to 4 PM). The protest by gig workers in Varanasi was borne out of contempt for the changed incentive structure. The pay-per-order for the workers has also been reduced significantly. The workers demanded an increase in the pay rate and reinstatement of the previous incentive structure.
by Himanshi Aggarwal
10/05/2025