A recent incident involving a Zomato delivery rider in Delhi has sparked widespread criticism of the food delivery platform’s treatment of its workers. The incident occurred when two cars hit a Zomato rider named Lalan in Delhi’s Chanakyapuri area. Despite his serious injuries, the company failed to provide immediate support, leading to an outcry on social media and promises of reform from Zomato.
The Incident: Zomato Rider Injured
Anjali, a witness to the accident, described the harrowing experience on social media. According to her, the rider was struck by two cars while on his e-scooter, leaving him with a badly injured arm. As the cars sped away, some pedestrians and two other Zomato riders came to Lalan’s aid. Anjali also stopped to help, using Lalan’s phone to contact Zomato’s emergency helpline. However, her calls went unanswered, leaving the injured rider without immediate assistance.
Any emergency helpline for Zomato riders is a joke. There is no mechanism.
Today, while walking towards Chanakyapuri, two cars hit a Zomato rider on an e-scooter back to back, both the cars fled & we couldn’t note their numbers.
Some pedestrians stopped along with an..1/n— Anjali (@UsernameAnjali) August 7, 2024
Lack of Support from Zomato
The situation worsened when Lalan, despite being injured, began receiving complaints from customers about the delayed delivery. Anjali tried to contact the customers to explain the situation, but they did not respond. Instead, Zomato’s service center began calling Lalan, demanding an explanation for the delay. Anjali’s social media post highlighted the inadequate support for Zomato riders, describing the company’s emergency helpline as a “joke.” She criticized Zomato for failing to provide adequate support mechanisms for their gig workers, who are often left vulnerable in such situations.
Public Outcry and Zomato’s Response
The public outcry following Anjali’s post prompted a response from Zomato. The company acknowledged the shortcomings in their emergency response system and promised reforms. Zomato’s official handle on social media confirmed that Lalan had escaped without major injuries and was receiving medical care. The company assured the public that the safety and wellbeing of their delivery partners are a priority and promised changes to their SOS process to ensure quicker response times in the future.
The Need for Reform in the Gig Economy
This incident has once again highlighted the precarious conditions faced by gig workers, who often lack basic protections and support from the companies they work for. Anjali called for Zomato’s CEO, Deepinder Goyal, to take accountability and recognize gig workers as employees with proper rights, compensation, and medical benefits. The incident underscores the urgent need for reforms to ensure the safety and dignity of gig workers in the rapidly growing gig economy.
