A recent statement by AAP MP Raghav Chadha has reignited a serious conversation around the working conditions of gig economy delivery riders in India. Chadha called the situation “systemic exploitation” after a Blinkit delivery rider reportedly earned just Rs 763 after working close to 15 hours in a single day. The comment has sparked widespread debate on social media, with many questioning how sustainable and humane such work models really are.
The gig economy has grown rapidly in urban India, promising flexibility and quick income. Platforms like Blinkit, which is owned by Eternal, have become essential to daily life, especially in large cities where instant delivery is now the norm. However, behind the convenience lies a workforce that often bears the cost of this speed. Long working hours, uncertain incentives, fuel expenses, and lack of social security continue to define the lives of many delivery partners.
Chadha’s criticism points to a larger structural issue rather than an isolated incident. While companies often argue that earnings vary based on demand, location, and hours logged, cases like this raise uncomfortable questions. If a rider works nearly an entire day and earns less than the minimum daily wage in many states, it highlights a gap between corporate growth and worker welfare.
Labour experts say that gig workers exist in a grey zone, classified as partners rather than employees, which limits their access to benefits such as health insurance, paid leave, and minimum wage protections. As platforms scale up and report strong revenues, pressure is mounting on policymakers to step in.
This episode has once again underlined the need for clearer regulations and accountability. Convenience should not come at the cost of dignity, and growth should not be built on exhaustion. The rider’s story has become a symbol of a deeper problem that India can no longer afford to ignore.
