Riding Through Risks: The Harsh Realities of Food Delivery Workers in a Post-Pandemic World.

 Online Food Delivery: The Condition of Delivery Personnel and the Impact of COVID-19

Introduction

The online food delivery industry has seen a meteoric rise in the past decade, driven by technological advancements, changing consumer behavior, and an increasing dependence on digital platforms. Companies like Uber Eats, DoorDash, Zomato, Swiggy, and Foodpanda have transformed the way people access food, making it convenient to order meals from the comfort of their homes. However, while the industry continues to thrive, the condition of delivery personnel remains a topic of concern. These workers, often called "delivery boys," face numerous challenges, including low wages, job insecurity, and hazardous working conditions.

The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated these issues, putting delivery workers at greater health risks while increasing their workload. Despite being classified as "essential workers," many of them struggled with financial instability, lack of social security, and limited access to healthcare. 

The Role of Delivery Personnel in the Online Food Industry

Food delivery workers are the backbone of the online food industry. They act as intermediaries between restaurants and customers, ensuring that meals reach consumers promptly. These workers are often employed on a gig basis, meaning they do not receive fixed salaries but earn based on the number of deliveries they complete. The job requires them to travel long distances, often through heavy traffic and unfavorable weather conditions, to meet tight delivery deadlines.

While the online food delivery system provides employment opportunities to many, it also presents several challenges for workers. The gig economy model, under which most delivery personnel operate, does not offer job security, health benefits, or social security. Workers are classified as "independent contractors" rather than full-time employees, which means they do not receive basic protections such as medical insurance, paid leave, or retirement benefits.

Challenges Faced by Delivery Personnel

Despite being essential to the food delivery ecosystem, delivery personnel face several difficulties:

1. Low Wages and Unstable Income

Most delivery workers earn money per order rather than receiving a fixed salary. This means their earnings depend on the number of deliveries they complete in a day. During peak hours, they might earn a decent amount, but on slow days, their income drops significantly. Moreover, they are often responsible for their fuel costs, vehicle maintenance, and mobile data expenses, which further reduce their net earnings.

2. Harsh Working Conditions

Delivery workers spend long hours on the road, often exposed to extreme weather conditions, traffic congestion, and pollution. Many delivery personnel work late into the night, making them vulnerable to accidents, street crimes, and road rage incidents.

3. Exploitation and Lack of Rights

Since delivery personnel are considered gig workers rather than full-time employees, they lack the labor rights that traditional workers enjoy. They are not entitled to paid sick leaves, health benefits, or retirement plans. Additionally, they are often subjected to unfair rating systems, where a single negative review from a customer can impact their future earnings.

4. Pressure and Mental Health Issues

The pressure to meet delivery deadlines while navigating through difficult traffic conditions creates significant stress for delivery workers. Many report feeling overworked, fatigued, and mentally drained. The constant fear of losing their job or receiving a poor rating adds to their anxiety.

Impact of COVID-19 on Delivery Workers

The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound effect on the food delivery industry. While many businesses suffered due to lockdowns, online food delivery platforms saw an increase in demand as restaurants switched to delivery-only models. However, this boom in business did not translate to better working conditions for delivery personnel.

1. Increased Health Risks

During the pandemic, delivery workers were at the frontline, ensuring people received food while risking their own health. Many workers had to interact with multiple customers daily, increasing their exposure to the virus. Despite this, many companies failed to provide them with adequate protective gear such as masks, gloves, and sanitizers.

2. Financial Struggles Despite Increased Workload

While demand for online food delivery surged, the earnings of delivery workers did not necessarily improve. Many reported working longer hours without any increase in pay. Additionally, several workers faced pay cuts as companies struggled with financial losses during the early phases of the pandemic.

3. Lack of Social Security and Healthcare

Delivery workers who contracted COVID-19 often had no health insurance or financial support from their employers. Many were forced to continue working despite being unwell due to financial constraints. This lack of healthcare support highlighted the vulnerability of gig workers in times of crisis.

4. Stigma and Discrimination

During the pandemic, delivery workers were sometimes treated unfairly due to fear of virus transmission. Some customers refused to accept deliveries from them or subjected them to rude behavior. In many cases, delivery personnel were denied entry into residential societies and apartment complexes due to strict COVID-19 restrictions.

Possible Solutions to Improve the Condition of Delivery Workers

Addressing the challenges faced by delivery personnel requires a multi-faceted approach involving governments, food delivery companies, and society at large. Here are some steps that can be taken to improve their working conditions:

1. Recognizing Delivery Workers as Employees

One of the biggest issues facing delivery personnel is their classification as gig workers. Governments should push for legislation that grants them employee status, ensuring they receive benefits such as health insurance, paid leaves, and social security.

2. Fair Wages and Incentives

Delivery companies should introduce minimum wage policies to ensure workers earn a stable income regardless of the number of deliveries they complete. Additionally, bonuses and incentives should be given to workers who consistently meet performance targets.

3. Better Health and Safety Measures

Companies should provide protective gear, insurance, and medical support to workers, especially during crises like pandemics. Regular health checkups and wellness programs can also help improve their overall well-being.

4. Improved Rating and Feedback Systems

The rating system for delivery workers should be more balanced and fair. Instead of penalizing workers for factors beyond their control (such as traffic delays), companies should consider multiple aspects when evaluating performance.

5. Public Awareness and Respect for Delivery Workers

Society must acknowledge the essential role of delivery workers and treat them with respect. Customers can contribute by giving fair ratings, offering tips, and being understanding about delays caused by uncontrollable factors.

Global Growth in Food Delivery Services

The online food delivery industry has experienced significant growth worldwide, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. This surge has brought attention to the working conditions of delivery personnel across various countries. Below are some statistics highlighting these aspects:

Between 2019 and 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic led to unprecedented growth in off-premise food services across multiple countries. 

India

The food delivery sector in India has become a significant employer in urban and peri-urban areas, with platforms like Zomato and Swiggy facilitating deliveries through a vast fleet of workers. 

A report by the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) extensively explores the socio-economic implications of workers engaged in the food delivery platform industry in India, shedding light on their employment patterns, incomes, and work environment. 

United Kingdom

In the UK, the demand for delivery services has surged, with 1.29 billion parcels expected to be distributed between October and December 2024. Just Eat alone made 245 million deliveries in 2023. The Office for National Statistics reports that 246,000 people work as delivery drivers and couriers. However, specific details about their employment conditions and numbers are sparse. 

Investigations have revealed that some migrants work illegally for food delivery companies by renting out accounts of legitimate drivers, often through online forums. This practice allows them to bypass background checks and right-to-work verifications. 

Global Challenges

A report titled "Food Delivery Workers Shaping the Future of Work" highlights that while food delivery workers are essential, they often face classification struggles and hazardous working conditions. The worldwide development of vaccines seeks to curb the impact of the coronavirus, but vaccine rollout has been unsystematic and slow, leaving many food delivery workers without protection. 

These statistics underscore the rapid growth of the food delivery industry and the pressing need to address the challenges faced by delivery personnel worldwide.

Source : Statistica