AAP Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha on Tuesday highlighted the “exploitative realities of the country’s gig economy” in a post on X, after sharing a screenshot that showed a Blinkit delivery agent earned just Rs 762.57 after completing 28 deliveries.
As per the screenshot shared by Chadha, the rider, after nearly 15 hours of work, earned an average of only Rs 52.01 per hour. The earnings breakdown showed Rs 690.57 from order payments, Rs 72 as incentive, and zero under other earnings.’
Low pay, crushing targets’ – No dignity for gig workers
Chadha said he had recently raised the issue in Parliament. “Low pay, crushing targets, no job security, no dignity for gig workers. This Blinkit case only confirms what millions live every day. India cannot build a digital economy on the backs of underpaid, overworked human beings. Fair wages, humane hours and social security for gig workers are non-negotiable,” he wrote.
The Financial Express has reached out to Blinkit for its response, and the story will be updated once the company issues a statement.
How X users reacted to Chadha’s post
The post sparked a debate online, with many users pointing out that delivery riders are paid poorly despite risking their lives in heavy traffic, extreme weather and pollution every day.
However, one user questioned the low-pay claim, citing her conversations with delivery personnel.
“I don’t know how true this is because I have spoken to a lot of delivery guys and they all seem to be happy with their earnings. I remember once ordering goods from Zepto and paying only Rs 70. I asked the delivery guy how much he earned from the delivery, and he said Rs 60. I was like, wow, that’s crazy,” the user, who goes by the X handle sashaaaaaa, wrote.