AAP MP Raghav Chadha works a night as a Blinkit delivery rider in Delhi, exposing gig workers’ challenges, low pay, and long hours.
Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha recently stepped into the role of a gig worker, working a full night shift as a Blinkit delivery rider in Delhi to understand the harsh realities faced by app-based delivery workers. The experience was documented in a video shared on his YouTube channel, drawing attention to the daily risks, long working hours, and low earnings in the gig economy.
Raghav Chadha said the aim of the exercise was to bring visibility to the invisible struggles of delivery riders. “I wanted to experience firsthand what these workers go through every day — the pressure, the uncertainty, and the physical risks,” he stated in the video.
The initiative came shortly after Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced that major delivery platforms including Blinkit, Zepto, Zomato, and Swiggy would eliminate mandatory 10-minute delivery targets following sustained discussions on improving worker safety and conditions.
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A Night on the Road with a Delivery Rider
During his ride-along, Raghav Chadha partnered with Shivam, a delivery rider from Haryana who has been working in the gig sector for over a year. Shivam shared that expectations of high monthly income quickly faded once he realized the actual earnings did not match the effort involved.
According to Shivam, his workday often begins early in the morning and stretches late into the night, leaving him with minimal rest after managing daily household chores. He explained that delivery distances frequently change on the app, forcing riders to rush through traffic to meet deadlines or face penalties.
One delivery covering less than three kilometers earned him only a small payout, and return trips were unpaid. On particularly demanding days, Shivam said he has completed more than 50 deliveries without proper meals or rest.
High Risk, Low Pay Reality
Shivam revealed that riders often earn close to a minimal per-minute income after accounting for fuel, vehicle rent, food, and maintenance expenses. He spends a significant portion of his monthly earnings on bike rental alone, further reducing his take-home income.
He also shared experiences of workplace insecurity, stating that injuries sustained during accidents were not compensated adequately. Despite submitting medical documents, he claimed that he received no insurance support and was sometimes pressured to continue working even while injured.
Customer complaints, system errors, and order cancellations, he added, frequently lead to penalties or incentive cuts, creating constant financial uncertainty for riders.
A Call for Policy Reform
Raghav Chadha emphasized that such stories reflect the urgent need for stronger labor protections and fair policies for gig workers. He reiterated that delivery riders are essential to the urban economy and deserve safer working conditions, reasonable working hours, and income security.
Shivam expressed hope that growing public discussions and policy changes would lead to meaningful improvements in worker welfare and safety across India’s gig economy.
The video has sparked conversations online, with many viewers praising the initiative for shedding light on the unseen hardships faced by delivery workers every day.
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