The Karmachari Ekta Union recently held a General Body Meeting in Shakarpur, bringing together delivery riders from various platforms like Swiggy, Blinkit, Instamart, and others in Delhi. The meeting followed successful awareness campaigns and a membership drive, resulting in a significant increase in union membership. Emphasizing the need to recognize app workers as employees entitled to minimum wages, social security, and collective bargaining rights, the campaigns resonated with the attendees. The union’s active support during the Blinkit workers’ strike in 2024 further bolstered its credibility.
Apoorva Sharma, the Union’s Convenor, emphasized unity and expansion across Delhi during the meeting. Riders echoed this sentiment, advocating for fixed salaries, regular working hours, and weekly holidays instead of the rate-per-order system. Renowned trade union leaders, including Santosh Roy, Sucheta De, Abhishek, and Surya Prakash, inspired workers to mobilize and fight against growing inequality.
The meeting concluded with the election of a union council, appointing Apoorva Sharma as President and Ritwik Raj as General Secretary. The council announced plans to launch an agitation targeting the Union and state governments to advance its demands. These demands include recognizing all app employees as permanent workers with job security, a standard 8-hour workday, a minimum monthly wage of Rs. 26,000, and a mandated minimum bonus of 20% from companies.
Additionally, the union stresses the importance of social security benefits like Provident Fund (PF), Employee State Insurance (ESI), dearness allowance tied to inflation rates, and substantial compensation in case of injuries or fatalities. They also demand an end to illegal retrenchments by app companies, safeguarding workers’ rights in the digital economy.
The historic background of this movement can be traced back to the growing gig economy in India, where app-based jobs have become increasingly prevalent. Recognizing the challenges faced by workers in this sector, the Karmachari Ekta Union has emerged as a voice for their rights and welfare. By advocating for fair treatment and better working conditions, the union is striving to create a more equitable environment for app workers in Delhi and beyond.
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