Global LPG supply has been disrupted due to the Middle East war, which is directly impacting India’s food delivery and gig workers. Gig and Platform Service Workers Union (GIPSWU) has warned in a press release issued from Pune that food orders on platforms like Zomato and Swiggy have fallen by 50-60 percent. Restaurants, dhabas, cloud kitchens, catering services and street vendors are closing down or doing very little work due to non-availability of commercial LPG cylinders.
The union’s national coordinator Nirmal Gorana said, ‘Our members are dying of hunger. Hundreds of workers have contacted us – families are skipping meals, children are going to bed hungry. A delivery worker from Delhi and father of two children said, ‘Earlier there used to be 30 deliveries a day, now there are not even 5-10. Platforms are now threatening to deactivate the ID. This crisis is affecting both ride-hailing and food delivery.
One crore workers in trouble
The union estimates that about one crore workers are struggling with this problem, which includes a large number of gig and platform workers. These people are without fixed pay or social security, so any external problem directly impacts their employment. Workers should not be punished for less orders to platforms, rather they should be given protection and compensation.
GIPSWU demands from Union Minister
Gig and Platform Service Workers Union (GIPSWU) has written a letter to the Union Labor Minister demanding immediate action, which is as follows:
- Oil Ministry should ensure 24/7 supply of commercial LPG, so that food businesses can run.
- Platforms like Zomato, Swiggy etc. should provide immediate relief of Rs 10,000 to the affected workers.
- ID deactivation should be banned for three months and minimum daily incentives should be given.
- Under the Code on Social Security of 2020, all gig workers should get complete coverage.
