Bhubaneswar: In response to growing concerns over the safety of gig workers involved in fast-paced delivery services, the Odisha Government is planning to introduce mandatory road safety and emergency response training for delivery personnel working with online aggregators.
The move follows a directive from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) urging states to ensure enforceable safety standards for gig economy workers—especially those employed by food, grocery, and parcel delivery platforms like Zomato, Swiggy, Dunzo, and Zepto.
Transport Commissioner to Devise Strategy
The Commerce and Transport Department has asked the Transport Commissioner to take necessary steps after a formal recommendation by the Labour and ESI Department. The goal is to equip gig workers with life-saving knowledge and enforce safety protocols that platforms must comply with.
“The delivery race is putting lives at risk. Safety cannot be optional,” a senior Transport Department official said.
Why the Urgency?
Delivery workers—often on two-wheelers or bicycles—face:
- Frequent road accidents
- Pressure to deliver quickly, even in unsafe conditions
- Lack of helmets and protective gear
- No health insurance or accident coverage
- Harassment during deliveries in isolated or poorly lit areas
These concerns were highlighted in a complaint submitted to the PMO, which prompted urgent action across states.
No Official Count, But Thousands at Risk
Though there’s no official database of gig workers in Odisha, estimates show that over 52,000 were engaged in delivery jobs by 2021. With the gig economy booming, that number has likely surged significantly in the last four years.
What’s Being Proposed:
- Mandatory road safety workshops for delivery personnel
- Training in emergency response and accident handling
- Enforceable safety standards for platform-based companies
- Promotion of reflective clothing, helmets, and insurance coverage
- Possible penalties for platforms not adhering to safety norms
If implemented effectively, Odisha could become one of the first Indian states to formalize gig worker safety norms, setting a national example.
“The gig economy is here to stay. We must protect the backbone of this industry — the workers,” the official added.
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