Zomato and Swiggy: 4 major problems food delivery executives face in India

On June 3, a video went viral on social media where a traffic policeman was seen slapping a Swiggy delivery executive in Tamil Nadu’s Coimbatore. The video was widely circulated, and it prompted the state government to take action against the cop. The traffic cop was transferred the next day.

This brings to light not just the poor attitude of the cops against the delivery executives, but also a collective negligence of the society towards them.

Even the food delivery companies like Swiggy and Zomato seem to have turned a blind eye to their problems.

Here are four major problems the food delivery agents face in India:

1. THE HEALTH ASPECT

These food delivery agents and also the delivery executives of the e-commerce agencies carry very heavy bagpacks on their shoulders while riding the bikes. This puts strain on their shoulders, neck and spinal cord. The poor condition of Indian roads adds further to their distress. The companies need to lo the weight load and should set a guideline on how much weight a person is allowed to carry.

2. POOR TREATMENT

Often these delivery agents are mistreated by the customers. These guys who carry food items in their backpacks are at times not even allowed to use the elevator. Some are even yelled at by the customers for being late. And in some instances, they are even physically assaulted.

3. LOW WAGES

The maximum a food delivery agent makes in a month in India after rigorously working  for 30 days is Rs 20,000 a month. The companies also pay incentives to the employees but that is only after a rider completes 15 orders in his shift. Also, the delivery agents face deductions if they are late in delivering food.  

Low payment and no job security are the biggest issues the food delivery agents face. It becomes more difficult when they are the sole bread earner of the family.  

4. FUEL COSTS

Rising fuel costs is another big problem for delivery executives. They have to get their fuel tanks filled out of their own pockets and this adds an extra burden to their finances. The companies need to realise that in Metro cities, the fuel prices went above Rs 100 and this has made a big impact on the finances of these delivery agents.