Insight: Whether app-based food delivery boys are properly rewarded

A conversation with an app-based food delivery boy reveals how unrewarding his job is and to what extent his lack of awareness regarding the legal obligations an employer must follower while offering a job is exploited by his employer.

Nowadays, app-based delivery boys are everywhere. They keep shuttling here and there, wearing the t-shirts of their respective companies, and carrying a large bag full of food stuffs supposed to be delivered on time to their customers.

On an average, how much such a delivery boy earns? Days are gone, when a delivery boy earns from Rs 500 to Rs 1000 (even to Rs 1500) a day. Now, on an average, this delivery boy earns from Rs 150 to Rs 200 a day. Then, why he chooses this job?

The job is open to anyone who has an android phone and a bike (with a proper licence). It does not insist a specific timing. For those working in these companies, they are their bosses. They can decide at what time they should begin their work and at what time they should wind up their work. It is pretty much like freelancing.

Actually, what is hiding behind the perks is an unrecognisable reality of injustice and exploitation. Do these workers have any guaranteed minimum wage? Do these workers have any health insurance (even any accident insurance – as their job involves riding their bikes continuously for hours without bothering the threat of accident)? Do they have any employment contract with their employers? On what basis their effort is calculated to reward them with payments? The one big question is: do the companies at least recognise these delivery boys as their employees. Many more questions are there. But, these questions alone can speak volumes about the injustice and exploitation –if any.

Unfortunately, it is our youngsters who always fall for the gimmicks of these modern day employment surplus making tactics.

All jobs should be brought under the framework under which the employment sector traditionally operates. If the existing laws are not enough to manage the modern jobs, the law should be amended accordingly to suit the requirement of the present.

Vignesh. S. G
Photo Courtesy: Google/ images are subject to copyright