The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has directed the IT and Labour departments to take strict action against companies that force their delivery boys to make faster deliveries during lunch hours. As per the new directive, Uber Eats, Swiggy, Zomato and other food delivery companies will not be allowed to assess the performance of their delivery boys between 11 in the morning and 3 in the afternoon.
The heat wave that has gripped Kerala has resulted in an alarming number of sunburn and sunstroke cases.
Although these delivery boys are not usually registered as staff, KSDMA noted that they are also entitled to fair treatment. It has also directed all these food-delivery companies to ensure that the delivery boys are given uniforms that are comfortable to wear in the hot summers.
Work is hard for these delivery boys because their incentives are based on the number of orders that they deliver. Not surprisingly, the maximum orders are received in the afternoon. If they take a break during that time, they compromise their incentives. Most of them have uncomfortable uniforms too, some of which are black and absorb more heat. But these boys have no option but to wear them and be on the roads, irrespective of the heat, as this is their only means of livelihood.
