Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Member of Parliament Raghav Chadha came out in strong support of gig workers on Saturday, defending those who participated in recent strikes and sharply criticising major delivery platforms. He accused these companies of politicising the legitimate demands of workers seeking fair pay and dignified working conditions.
Hostages with Helmets: A Scathing Indictment
Chadha did not mince words in his assessment of the pressure faced by delivery partners. He stated that the working conditions were so severe that these individuals were being treated not as employees with fundamental rights, but as "hostages with helmets." The AAP leader condemned platform companies for framing the labour unrest and demands as a law-and-order problem rather than addressing the core issues.
In a detailed post on social media platform X, Chadha elaborated on his stance. "Workers asking for fair pay are not criminals," he asserted. He challenged the very foundation of the platforms' operations, arguing, "If your system needs police to keep running on its biggest day, that is not proof the system works. That is an admission it doesn't." He emphasised that his earlier intervention during the Winter Session of Parliament had successfully brought national attention to the plight of delivery and app-based workers.
Survival, Not Approval: The Reality of Gig Work
Addressing a common counter-argument that workers logging in during a strike signifies satisfaction, Chadha provided a starkly different perspective rooted in economic desperation. He explained that for many, a single day's earnings can determine whether they pay rent, an electricity bill, or a child's school fee.
"Logging in on a strike day is not approval, it is survival. It is desperation," the MP wrote. "People remain trapped when better options do not exist." He clarified his position as being pro-industry but firmly anti-exploitation, stating, "Success cannot be built by squeezing the last ounce out of the people doing the hardest work."
Algorithmic Control and Safety Concerns
Chadha also raised significant red flags regarding the algorithmic management systems used by platforms. He criticised the opaque nature of pay structures and penalty systems driven by apps, warning that they pose risks to both workers and the public. "That is not flexibility. That is control without accountability," he remarked.
Responding to coordinated criticism from platform companies and associated influencers, Chadha urged them to shift focus. "Do not waste time debating my lifestyle. Focus on improving the lifestyle of gig workers," he said, demanding greater transparency in the algorithms that ultimately decide worker earnings and livelihoods.
The Nationwide Strike and Core Demands
Chadha's forceful statements come against the backdrop of a nationwide strike called by gig worker unions. The key demands of the striking workers include:
- The complete removal of strenuous 10-minute delivery models.
- Restoration of previous, more favourable payout structures.
- Implementation of improved social security measures.
The AAP MP had previously highlighted these urgent issues in the Rajya Sabha, detailing the challenges of low pay, excessively long working hours, and a critical lack of legal protections for workers across food delivery, ride-hailing, and quick-commerce grocery delivery platforms.
