Gig workers’ union seeks protection over expired item orders

Members of the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers' Union have demanded that delivery workers not face penalties or have their IDs blocked if they refuse to collect orders of expired products. The union cited instances from two delivery aggregators where workers reported receiving expired items. After raising the issue, the workers approached the Food Safety Officer, who conducted an inspection, but the store management was allegedly uncooperative.

The union filed a complaint at the LB Nagar Police Station and demanded a fair and immediate investigation into the allegations, along with appropriate action if violations are found. They emphasized that delivery workers should be protected and not penalized. The union also called for Telangana SAFE to conduct statewide inspections of grocery stores of aggregators, with a focus on expired or near-expiry products.

They demanded a mechanism for workers to flag violations and measures to protect them from ID blocking or deactivation. Arbitrary rate reductions and rider ID blocking can lead to financial distress for entire families, the union stated. AIMIM legislator Ahmed Bin Abdullah Balala interacted with the workers, sought to understand their concerns, and intervened on their behalf.

The union has raised demands before the Labour Department, including unblocking IDs, ensuring the implementation of gig workers' protection, and conducting an immediate enquiry into aggregator violations.