- One of the most common features of the rapid urbanization in the Indian context is the way gig workers go about delivering items to customers in a quick time. The rapid delivery companies have completely revolutionized the urban consumption pattern like never before. The advent of digitalization in literally every walk of life needs no further elaboration. The ubiquitousness of the digital medium among modern-day inhabitants has completely altered our outlook towards consumption. Right from provisions, ingredients, electronics, gadgets, and even insurance claims, the gig economy is thriving big-time. In commensurate with the growth prospects in the gig industry, the government has made earnest efforts to regulate the welfare of partners as well.
PC: India Today
- However, one of the most glaring anomalies, if it can be termed, is the basic premise driving the rapid delivery system to deliver any items ordered by the consumers within 10 minutes. Now, people living in some of the most congested metro cities would know the challenges of traffic snarls bogging down commuters. Nonetheless, workers/partners driving fast commerce are at great safety risk, which is stating the obvious in the absence of welfare measures for their safeguards. As such, it must be mentioned that fast commerce can thrive alongside better working conditions for delivery people. Since the present-day world is driven by fast paced life where every minute is precious, both consumers and investors clearly want quick commerce in their cart.
PC: Good Morning Kashmir
- Any government intervention in such a buzzy market must weigh against the possibility of hurting new efficiencies and innovation. But the Union Government telling major food delivery and quick-commerce platforms to do away with rigid 10-minute delivery time commitments has a very specific, strong justification. Unrelenting algorithmic pressure to meet such 10-minute promises has affected not only delivery workers’ safety, but also that of everyone sharing the roads with them. Every delayed order hurts their ratings and earnings. The dangerous incentives thus created lead to traffic accidents, injuries, and deaths. But none of this merits vacuous moralizing. Those who preach that nobody needs anything in 10 minutes are kind of missing the point.
PC: Telangana Today
- Because for everyone who says an iPhone or Dhania in 10 minutes is not a need, there is someone who says neither is a smartphone per se. The fact remains, people up and down the country are appreciating this choice and putting in these orders. Some may have become addicted to the dopamine hit of instant fulfilment. Others may be time-starved dual-income families looking to lessen the relentless friction of their lives. Maybe the business has grown not based on needs but on wants. And that’s not only fine, it can also continue as usual, sort of. The business here has really delivered to dense, app-savvy urban populations, strategically stocking small neighbourhood warehouses with high-demand items. Of course, consumers can still enjoy faster delivery than in most parts of the world, while delivery agents enjoy a welcome improvement in working conditions. It’s a win-win situation for both consumers and companies.
