100s Of Blinkit Riders Meet Gurugram Labour Commissioner, Demand Minimum INR 25 Per Order

Delivery riders of Zomato-owned quick commerce platform Blinkit, who have been on strike since last week, met Gurugram Deputy Labour Commissioner Dinesh Kumar on Monday and demanded a minimum pay of INR 25 per order delivered, restoration of earlier incentives and better working hours.

Hundreds of Blinkit riders are on a strike in Delhi-NCR against a new pay structure rolled out by the startup, under which their payout will change from a fixed amount to a per kilometre basis. The service has disrupted services of the quick-commerce platform, with about 100 of its dark stores shut in the region.

The representatives from Blinkit’s management were also present during the meeting of the Labour Commissioner with the representatives of the driver partners. The Labour Commissioner directed the representatives of delivery executives to submit a list of demands in a letter and get it signed by the delivery executives present outside the office.

Blinkit Vs Driver Partners: The Issue

Under the new pay structure, Blinkit will pay INR 12 per kilometre travelled by riders to deliver an order. This has sparked outrage among delivery drivers. The pay changes for less busy hours, such as 11 AM to 7 PM, during which drivers would only get only INR 9 per kilometre.

The delivery partners have demanded a minimum pay of INR 25 for the first kilometre travelled, while the subsequent distance can be paid for according to the new pay structure.

The drivers contend that if a partner delivers two orders in an hour, travelling two kilometres each way, they would get only INR 60 per hour, including incentives, which is unsustainable. The drivers are demanding a pay scale that would see the payout reach INR 100 per hour.

Under the previous pay regime, a group of around 380 drivers, who were the first Blinkit delivery drivers in the Gurugram region, were paid INR 50 per order. Those who joined after them – this included about 2,500 to 3,000 delivery partners – received INR 25 per order. 

However, under the new regime, everyone would be paid the same amount, which has also become a bone of contention, especially for the early adopters who will see a drastic cut in their incomes. 

The drivers have put forth a list of five demands:

• The company should increase the minimum pay to INR 25
• The riders don’t want any changes to the pay scale. The company may increase the pay but should not decrease it
• The company will not terminate access for a rider even if they are unable to log in for 20 days and will inform the rider before doing so
• The company will revert to giving payment from cash on delivery orders to SM (store manager) so that the drivers can work easily
• The company should arrange for water and toilets for the drivers 

These demands have been submitted to the Gurugram Labour Commissioner with hundreds of drivers signing on the letter.

Many riders have also stated that the disruption has delayed their payments and since most of them live hand-to-mouth, it has become difficult for them to manage. 

Further, the drivers have also complained about the discrepancy between the distance Blinkit’s app shows for delivery and the actual distance travelled for an order.

Blinkit has allegedly fired a few drivers who went on strike last week, as per one of the complaints filed by one of the drivers. Inc42 has reviewed the complaint letter. These drivers are said to have been fired on April 15 and 16. The quick-commerce app allegedly also suspended the driver IDs of a few others who went on strike.

Blinkit’s move has attracted a severe backlash from industry bodies. The Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT) has called on the quick-commerce startup to change its stance on the matter.

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