Bengaluru, India–Lately, Shaik Salauddin’s phone has been ringing off the hook. Delivery workers from around India have been calling this founder of a gig and platform workers’ union to share their grievances – some had accidents while trying to deliver groceries within the stipulated time, a few are in trouble with the traffic police and some others need help claiming their health insurance at hospitals.
“Last few months, I have been getting at least four to five calls daily,” Salauddin told Al Jazeera, flipping through his diary where he scribbles details about his calls. The recent rise of instant grocery delivery services in several cities has led to an increase in the number of accidents among other problems, he says. To help resolve the problems of the more than three million gig workers across India, Salauddin last year started Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union.
