Rising Temperatures Push Online Platforms to Strengthen Worker Heat Protection

Online platforms that hire gig workers are implementing a range of tech-driven solutions, infrastructure enhancements, and welfare measures as the temperature rises across the country. Many online retailers are pledging to do more to protect their delivery drivers and employees. These platforms include Amazon, Zomato, Blinkit, Swiggy, BigBasket, and Flipkart.

Zomato and Blinkit are both owned by Eternal, the same company that has announced an expansion of insurance coverage for delivery partners. This expansion includes outpatient and hospitalisation benefits. According to the business, users may access SOS support and weather notifications through their separate applications, and they can also be encouraged to donate water or tips in times of excessive heat.

How Online Platforms are Cooling off Delivery Partners?

Cooling infrastructure, including benches, water dispensers, air coolers, and pedestal fans, has been installed in Blinkit's dark shopfronts. In addition, it is increasing the number of free "Doctor@Store" consultations and is also providing glucose sachets every day. In the meantime, Zomato has partnered with restaurants to create a network of more than 5,000 rest stops and is distributing discounted cooling gear, such as jackets with UV protection, to its customers.

Swiggy has also announced the launch of specialised cooling vests, which can sustain a temperature reduction of several degrees for up to three hours. In addition to training employees to recognise the signs of heat stress early on, Flipkart is enhancing rest rooms, making sure employees have access to water, providing "Doctor on Call" services, and more. The company is making adjustments based on the seasons to make sure that Wishmasters (the delivery people) have enough water and snacks to stay hydrated at all of its locations and on their routes, according to a representative from Flipkart.

There are currently infrastructure upgrades taking place in the rest areas of distribution centres with the express purpose of improving temperature regulation. The Qcom platform BigBasket highlighted welfare programmes and more adaptable work schedules as ways to improve partner circumstances.

IFAT Seeking Enforceable Protection

In light of these developments, the IFAT, an Indian union representing app-based transport workers, has formally requested legal safeguards from the Ministry of Labour and Employment. Platforms' voluntary actions are insufficient, the group said. Now the IFAT has called for paid cooling breaks during extreme heat alerts, easier access to water and shelters, and built-in emergency systems for heat distress within the apps. A nationwide advisory was issued by the relevant ministry, encouraging states and union territories to order businesses to immediately take heat safety measures.

This is particularly important for people working in outdoor and labour-intensive sectors. Some couriers have reported few but noticeable changes on the ground. At least two QCom platforms, according to a delivery partner, have raised rewards per order by 10–18 INR during the afternoon rush hour (12–4 pm). These changes occur at a time when the India Meteorological Department is sounding the alarm about an increase in heatwave days throughout much of the country as a result, in part, of warmer nights.