'Project Ashray': After outrage, Amazon India launches resting points for delivery workers

"The facility's usage will be free and limited to 30 minutes per visit. Parking spaces will also be provided for delivery associates," Amazon India said.

Amid backlash over poor working conditions for delivery workers, Amazon India recently launched its first resting point as part of ‘Project Ashray’. The project, which is in partnership with Udyasa Foundation, will see the retail giant set up resting points across Delhi-NCR, Bengaluru and Mumbai.

“At Amazon, we are committed to maintaining industry-leading infrastructure and practices to ensure the best on-road experience for our delivery partners,” Amazon India Vice President-Operations Abhinav Singh said.

The development comes months after the National Human Rights Commission sent a notice to Amazon India over several complaints by warehouse workers. According to media reports published in June, the warehouse staff had complained that they were forced to take “no washroom break pledge” till they met their targets.

“The Ashray centres will provide essential amenities like washrooms, seating, drinking water, and charging stations. Each Ashray center can accommodate 15 people at a time and will be operational throughout the year from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The facility's usage will be free and limited to 30 minutes per visit. Parking spaces will also be provided for delivery associates,” Amazon India said in statement. The company will also launch an awareness drive about these rest points among delivery associates.