Delivery platforms to stop 10-minute service after appeal by Labour Minister, Pg1

Key Highlights:

• Blinkit, Zepto, Zomato, and Swiggy will discontinue their 10-minute delivery service.
• The decision follows an appeal by Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.
• Gig workers held a strike on December 31 demanding an end to 10-minute deliveries.
• Blinkit has changed its tagline to "30,000+ products delivered at your doorstep".

Detailed Insights:

• The Union Labour Minister intervened after concerns were raised about the safety and health of gig workers due to the pressure of 10-minute delivery targets.
• Gig workers unions argued that the practice led to dangerous road behavior and extreme stress, requesting the Minister to regulate platform work practices.
• The government aims to ensure greater safety, security, and improved working conditions for gig workers by discouraging the 10-minute delivery branding.
• The Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers welcomed the government's intervention as a significant step in protecting the lives and dignity of gig and platform workers.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Gig Workers: Individuals who perform short-term tasks or services, often through digital platforms, without traditional employer-employee relationships.
• Platform Economy: An economic system where digital platforms facilitate transactions between providers and consumers, often involving gig workers.