Ahmedabad: Swiggy Delivery Partners Protest Against Penalties

Swiggy delivery partners in Ahmedabad are protesting because the online food delivery company deducts penalties from their entire day's earnings, even if they miss just one delivery time slot.

Around 200 Swiggy delivery partners gathered at GMDC Ground in Ahmedabad to protest against what they consider to be unfair treatment. These delivery partners came from various parts of the state. The head of the Swiggy Riders Association, Jay Kumar, stated that their main demand is to have a consistent rate card in Gujarat. Currently, the rates vary based on the demand in each area, and they want it to be the same everywhere. They are also demanding that Swiggy either eliminate the slot system or make it available throughout the entire day.

According to Jay Kumar, the head of the Swiggy Riders Association, the delivery partners are currently required to work for two four-hour time slots in a day as part of the slot system. He emphasized that even if the riders miss just one slot, the online food delivery company deducts penalties from their entire day's earnings. The protesters are hoping that their demands will be accepted by the company or that they can reach a compromise on the issues they are facing.

The protesters are also requesting fair compensation for orders that are cancelled. They mentioned that if an order gets cancelled while they are on their way, they have to bear the cost themselves. Additionally, they are seeking extra compensation when they have to deliver to a location different from what was mentioned in the application. They are also demanding insurance coverage for all delivery partners, along with other requests.

Azad Patel, a 31-year-old gig worker, accused the company of using manipulative tactics through their online system to take advantage of them. He stated that they have screenshots as evidence to support their claims. Patel also revealed that the company has been suspending the accounts of those who are participating in the protest, applying pressure to end the demonstration.

Bhavesh Solanki, Swiggy's Head of City Operations in Ahmedabad, declined to provide any comments regarding the issue. However, the company released a statement saying, "We recognize the inconvenience caused by disruptions in certain areas of the city. We are actively engaging with our delivery executives to resolve the situation promptly. Our team is working hard to restore our services as quickly as we can."