New Delhi, Dec 31 (NationPress) Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha member Raghav Chadha expressed strong support on Wednesday for the nationwide strike by gig workers linked to prominent delivery and e-commerce platforms, emphasizing that their voices and demands are valid as they are "humans, not robots or bonded labour".

Thousands of gig workers affiliated with major delivery and e-commerce companies participated in a nationwide strike on Wednesday, causing significant disruptions to services across multiple states.

Delivery partners associated with firms like Zomato, Swiggy, Blinkit, Zepto, Amazon, and Flipkart either logged off their apps or drastically reduced their working hours, leading to delays, cancellations, and service interruptions during one of the busiest shopping days of the year.

The protest was organized by the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU) and the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT), receiving support from various regional groups across Maharashtra, Karnataka, Delhi-NCR, West Bengal, and parts of Tamil Nadu.

In an interview with IANS, Chadha stated, "I stand in solidarity with the delivery boys and riders on strike today. Their demands are entirely justified. They are staging a symbolic protest to ensure their voices are acknowledged. I urge instant commerce companies to recognize these delivery partners; they are human beings, not machines or bonded labour. They are someone’s father, son, husband, or brother."

Chadha outlined their grievances, noting, "They report being overworked and underpaid. Their main demands include better social security, improved working conditions, financial compensation, and PF benefits. Additionally, the pressure of 10-minute delivery expectations is harming their physical and mental health. If they fail to deliver within this timeframe, they face the wrath of customers."

Having raised these issues during the Parliament's Winter Session, Chadha urged companies to allocate a small percentage of their valuation or gross revenue towards enhancing the lives of delivery partners, arguing that such actions would instill pride among workers.

"In light of today’s protest, it is crucial that these issues are collaboratively addressed through meaningful dialogue involving all stakeholders," he added.

The AAP MP recently hosted Himanshu Thapliyal, a Blinkit delivery partner who gained attention for discussing the poor earnings of gig workers.

After the MP raised concerns in Parliament about the gig economy, Thapliyal was invited to Chadha's residence for lunch. During their discussion, Thapliyal shared the burdens of delivery work, including unpredictable shifts, algorithm-driven targets, unstable income, and inadequate access to grievance mechanisms as recurring challenges faced by riders.

Reflecting on their meeting, Chadha remarked, "A thorough discussion must be held with these delivery partners—the riders and delivery boys. There are numerous concerns that perhaps you and even we were not fully aware of until now. When I invited Himanshu from Blinkit to my home for about 2.5 to 3 hours, sharing a meal and conversation, I grasped their concerns. Subsequently, their charter of demands and issues was communicated to the management of these companies."

Chadha also alleged that delivery partners faced threats from companies and team leaders for participating in the protest.

"In the past two to three days, every delivery boy and rider who approached me confirmed that when they plan to strike, they are being intimidated by certain team leaders and companies. I won't claim that this happens across the board, but I firmly believe it is wrong," he stated.

The AAP MP further asserted that in a democracy, everyone is entitled to voice their concerns and protest.

"Their voice should be acknowledged. They have gone on strike for a reason—a symbolic one-day strike—to ensure their message reaches the appropriate audience," he concluded.

Expressing hope for a resolution, Chadha added, "I am optimistic that a positive solution will arise because these gig workers, these delivery boys, are the foundation, the backbone of this entire e-commerce industry. This pillar deserves attention. With voices rising from across the nation and the issue being discussed in Parliament and beyond, we will undoubtedly find a resolution together, and conditions will improve."