Due to the ongoing war in the Middle East, the supply of LPG has been affected globally. Its effect is being seen in India also. According to the Gig and Platform Service Workers Union, many restaurants, dhabas, cloud kitchens and street food vendors have been affected due to the shortage of commercial gas cylinders. Due to this, orders on food delivery platforms have reduced. While earlier many delivery partners used to place around 50 orders daily, now this number has come down to 25 to 28. Describing this situation as serious, the union has demanded social security and help for gig workers from the government.
Gig workers told their problems on LPG crisis
Gig worker Sanjay Kumar: Due to this LPG crisis, orders are coming in much less than before. Now one has to wait longer than before to get the order. Earlier there used to be 30 to 40 orders a day, but now the number has come down to around 20 to 25. The amount of money received according to distance has also reduced. Due to LPG crisis, food is not being prepared at many places, due to which the orders have further reduced. In the market, gas cylinder is being sold in black for around Rs 4,000, which is very difficult for people like us to buy.
Gig worker Ajit Singh: Earlier he used to deliver around 50 orders from morning to evening, but now he gets only around 35 orders. I live in a rented house in Delhi and my daily expenses have also increased a lot. Food at dhabas has become expensive and at many places even tea or proper food is not available. There is difficulty in getting cylinders even at home.
Gig worker: We are already using electric stoves, but due to less orders our earnings have been affected. The common man who works as a laborer and runs his household is being directly affected by this crisis. Many of us live alone in Delhi and manage our expenses only with our daily earnings.
Gig worker: It is being said by the government that there is no shortage of gas cylinders, but people are facing a lot of problems at the ground level. Minister Hardeep Singh Puri should come and see the situation himself. In many places the cylinder is being sold for around Rs 4,000, which is very difficult for the common people to buy.
Gig worker Syed Alam: Due to this LPG crisis, there has been a huge decline in orders. Earlier, I used to deliver more than 50 orders every day and earn around Rs 1,800. Now, despite working 15-15 hours a day, I am not able to earn even Rs 1,000. Earlier, 10-12 orders used to be completed in a given time, now only 3-4 orders are received in the same time. The profit from one order has also reduced. Now I am thinking of buying an induction stove for home so that some expenses can be reduced.
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