Summer scorcher: Delivery platforms talk of cold drinks, fans; workers say even water is a luxury

The severe heatwave is taking a toll on delivery workers. E-commerce firms say they are extending support.

Several parts of the country are enduring a punishing heatwave and so are the country's gig workers who continue to make doorstep deliveries even as the mercury breaches the 50-degree mark in north India.

While the demand-supply gap continues with high absenteeism due to the scorching heat, e-commerce and quick commerce platforms such as Flipkart and Zomato have taken steps to support their delivery partners, especially in Delhi where previous records are melting away.

The maximum temperature in the National Capital Region, which includes Delhi, has varied from 45.2 to 49.1 degrees Celsius. Its Mungeshpur neighbourhood reported a maximum of 52.9 degree Celsius on May 29, though the weather department is checking it for a sensor or a local error.

The extra mile

"Flipkart's supply chain forms the backbone of our business. During the current summer season, a few additional inclusions in the daily routine of our wishmasters (delivery workforce) include the distribution of glucose beverages, provision of additional fans and coolers across facilities, and facilitating summer safety management briefings to ensure heatwave advisories are adhered to," said Prajakta Kanaglekar, vice president- technology, supply chain, e-commerce, CX & PPA HR, Flipkart.

The company is also encouraging customers to opt for early-morning and late-evening deliveries when the temperature is lower.

Food aggregator Swiggy's delivery persons have access to pit stops across Swiggy Instamart pods stocked with buttermilk and other cooling beverages.

"Delivery partners have access to T-shirts made with 100 percent breathable dry-fit mesh fabric for protection from the harsh sun,” a Swiggy spokesperson said.

Rival Zomato has doubled down on its “Shelters Project”, rest points equipped with comfortable seating, free drinking water, mobile charging points and washroom facilities. There are 450 such rest points across India and the company plans to add more than 5,000 by June 2024, a company spokesperson said.

The Gurugram-based food and grocery delivery platform has also procured over 5 lakh units of refreshments, juices and glucose for active delivery partners at more than 450 locations in over 250 cities to ensure delivery partners stay hydrated at all times, the spokesperson said.

As part of an awareness campaign, delivery partners are constantly reminded to stay hydrated and are warned of upcoming heatwaves. In case of a medical emergency, there is a 15-minute ambulance and 24x7 SOS support in over 530 cities.

Zomato, through its app, is also nudging customers to offer drinking water to delivery partners.

Its quick commerce unit, Blinkit, is installing air coolers in the waiting areas of all stores. Across Zomato and Blinkit, active delivery partners are insured under in-patient department cover of up to Rs 1,00,000 and for outpatients, the sum is Rs 5,000 for professional medical support, the spokesperson said.

Even Amazon said it is helping delivery workers as several parts of the country witness significant heat waves. "...due to high temperatures along with humidity, a ‘heat stress prevention’ program has been developed for associates in our buildings and out on the road making customer deliveries," a company spokesperson said.

"Some of the measures include enhanced ventilation and air conditioning inside our buildings, availability of oral rehydration solutions for all associates, and education and awareness campaigns across different channels of communication for associates,” they added.

‘Little help’

While companies shared with Moneycontrol an extensive list of steps they have taken, gig workers have a different story to tell.

“None of the companies, where delivery of any kind is involved, provide any support to the riders. They claim otherwise but we know what happens on the ground,” said Shaik Salauddin, national general secretary of the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT).

Limited access to water, shade or washrooms is putting gig workers at risk of various illnesses such as dehydration, heat exhaustion, kidney stones, kidney failure and even heat stroke.

“We have flagged this to all companies but our pleas always fall on deaf ears. Restaurants are no different. Companies say they have an arrangement with restaurants wherein we are allowed to use washrooms but they never actually let us use them,” Salauddin said.

In most places, delivery partners have separate entrance or pick-up points, so requesting restaurants for a drink is a task. “It is burning hot outside, so our body needs water but even that we don’t get from restaurants. There’s usually a pot outside and we are at the mercy of that. Platforms refuse to intervene,” Salauddin said.

Heatwave risk to health

The Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union recently held a session to raise awareness about extreme heat waves.

During the session, Mohammad Mazhar, a cab driver, complained of cramps and pain due to heat exhaustion after a 12-hour shift. “Our water heats up and becomes undrinkable. We are forced to buy bottled water,” he added.

Another delivery worker talked about the lack of public toilets and shade to rest under during peak afternoon hours.

“Employers have a legal duty to ensure the well-being, health and safety of their gig and platform workers while at work. Continued exposure to heat can lead to major health issues which, in severe cases, can be fatal,” Salauddin said.

It is the collective responsibility of the government and businesses to improve the working conditions of gig and platform workers, said Apekshita Varshney, founder of HeatWatch India.

HeatWatch India is an initiative focused on expanding awareness and action around the impact of extreme heat and heat waves on marginalised populations in the country.

"Gig workers should be provided with inclusive health and social protection policies and adequate resources to combat the risks posed by extreme heat waves," she said.