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Flipkart and Myntra are once again the news and for all the wrong reasons. The e-commerce giants who have managed to snag an impressive customer base in India are among the leading portals. While Flipkart had the first mover advantage coupled with brilliant marketing, Myntra was adopted by the style lovers in the country. However, many times in the past, both brands have faced issues with regards to faulty deliveries, pranks on delivery boys, misconduct by delivery boys, etc. And while erroneous deliveries have most often taken the media by storm with haggard customers taking to social media channels to voice their grievances, the brands have also met with issues in the delivery boys department.
According to a post by Mumbai Mirror, Flipkart and Myntra delivery buys recently went on a strike rebelling the appalling working conditions and state of affairs. While these delivery boys have no working hours and sanitation facilities they have to carry weights with no prescribed limits on their backs for long hours. Additionally, insensitive customers often play pranks on them by not giving the exact cash, cancelling orders, etc. The delivery boys backed by MNS demanded labour rights and proper working facilities like wash rooms, weekly offs, overtime allowance, etc. Of the total 20 demands made by them, 14 of the demands are as follows:
* Duty hours to be fixed
* Overtime allowances
* Existing shipment allowance to be enhanced
* Bike maintenance allowance to be granted
* Food, laundry allowance to be made available
* Foot delivery boys to be paid Rs 5 for shipment and Rs 10 for return shipment
* Workers to be issued company ID card
* Delivery boys to be exempted from work on public holidays
* Workers to be paid Rs 30 per day as shipment delivery expenses
* Workers to be issued an ESIC card
* Workers to be provided uniforms
* Workers to be provided vouchers
* Sunday holiday/compensatory off
* Toilets in each delivery office
Though many orders were delayed, the delivery boys stayed firm to their demands. The conditions of these delivery boys are more often than not appalling where they are from economically lower class backgrounds and agree tow rok for a pittance Also, if you have ever observed the huge backpack the delivery boy as to carry your packages in all day, the task just becomes worse. There’s no respite for these guys on weekends and they work round the clock: be it summer, winter or rain. Also, in order to meet demands, delivery boys often indulge in fast or rash driving of motorbikes leading to accidents.
The appalling conditions are clear when recently, it was brought to light how Flipkart and Amazon refuse to deliver products in parts of UP and Noida on COD basis (orders above Rs 5000/- are not accepted). This was because of the treatment meted out to the delivery boys in the area.
Google India created a video honouring the delivery boys with customised helmets to thank them for their selfless labour – you get a packet of joy, they return heavy shouldered yet empty handed. We do wonder if Google had instead collaborated with multiple of these portals and done something about the basic facilities for the delivery boys. While the helmet gesture was sweet and deserving (helmets are one of the most important accessories as the delivery boys ride motorbikes daily) it does feel trifling when compared with the difficulties these guys go through.
Flipkart recently opened 20 centres across 10 cities in India for pick up services. With plans to expand further in this segment, we do wonder if the delivery boys will slowly be phased out and there remain boy to make a grievance.
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