Team Herald
MARGAO: Nearly 100 Swiggy delivery workers in the South district have halted services in protest over recent cuts to their incentives, a move that could disrupt food and grocery deliveries in the area. The workers argue that the reduction in pay significantly affects their livelihoods, prompting them to take collective action and demand fair compensation for their efforts.
On Friday, around 100 Swiggy delivery personnel gathered in Margao to voice their frustrations. They claim that the company drastically reduced their incentives without prior notice, leaving many struggling to support their families. Shah Rukh, one of the delivery workers, spoke out against Swiggy’s decision, accusing the company of exploiting their hard work. He explained that delivery workers previously earned rewards of Rs 560 for completing 12 daily orders and Rs 960 for 17 orders. Now, they are being offered just Rs 20 per delivery for distances up to five kilometres.
“This change undermines the hard work we put in daily,” Shah Rukh said, highlighting the long hours delivery workers invest, often from 6 am in the morning until late at night. He emphasised that the new incentive structure, which fails to account for the costs delivery workers bear, such as fuel and vehicle maintenance, severely impacts their ability to make a living.
The workers have called on the government to intervene, urging Swiggy to revert to its previous incentive system. One delivery worker went as far as to suggest that if Swiggy does not reconsider, the company should be expelled from Goa.