Amazon India has taken a step in the right direction for the well-being of delivery associates/drivers. The company has launched ‘Project Ashray’ under which drivers across the entire logistic industry will have access to rest-points at strategic locations, in cities such as Delhi NCR, Bengaluru and Mumbai.
These rest-points will provide a range of amenities, specifically tailored to the needs of drivers, while on the road, including comfortable seating, access to clean water and mobile-charging stations. These centres will allow associates to rest, hydrate and recharge while taking breaks from deliveries. The Ashray centres will cater to not just the delivery associates from Amazon, but from other companies as well. Each centre will be able to accommodate up to 15 people at a time and will be operational from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The facility’s usage will be free and limited to 30 minutes per visit, per delivery associate.
For the pilot phase, it will initially set up five Ashray centres in collaboration with the Udyasa Foundation, in areas that receive high footfall. The first centre was inaugurated by Michiko Miyamoto, India country director at International Labour Organisation, at Boulevard, Malibu Town, Sector 47, Gurugram.
The initiative is proof of Amazon’s commitment to “maintaining industry-leading infrastructure and best practices to enhance the on-road experience for delivery associates,” according to Abhinav Singh, vice president-operations, Amazon India. ‘By providing dedicated rest points with essential amenities, we aim to ensure that all delivery associates, whether with Amazon or other companies, have the best possible and most comfortable environment while they work,” said Singh
Miyamoto is confident that “the launch of Amazon’s Ashray centrrs will help ensure adequate access to safe and comfortable places for delivery associates to rest and recharge. Such initiatives align with the platform’s commitment to ensuring safe working conditions for workers across sectors.”
Miyamoto hopes that other organisations will be inspired by Amazon’s initiative.
Multiple initiatives will help create awareness about these rest points among the delivery associates. Additionally, for Amazon delivery associates, locations will be added on Google Maps for easy access. Parking spaces will also be provided for delivery associates at these centres.
Amazon India is also exploring the public-private partnership (PPP) model for the development of additional resting facilities under Project Ashray in the near future. These facilities will include guarded restrooms ensuring the safety of women drivers, shade during monsoons or heat waves, along with drinking water, a mobile phone charging facility, internet connectivity, first aid support, and an electric two-wheeler charging facility at government-subsidised prices. Furthermore, Amazon has introduced initiatives such as ‘Sushruta’, a comprehensive health and wellness programme for truck drivers, and ‘Pratidhi’ Scholarship, which supports the education of the children of delivery associates. Through this initiative, Amazon has reinforced its commitment to enabling a conducive ecosystem and a mindful workplace for delivery associates.
