Eternal’s quick commerce arm Blinkit has removed “10-minute delivery” claim from its platform after an intervention by the Union labour ministry over concerns around delivery workers’ safety and working conditions.
Blinkit has updated its tagline, which now says “10,000+ products delivered to your doorstep”, instead of promising delivery within 10 minutes.
ET was first to report on the development.
This comes after the labour ministry held a meeting with senior leaders of Blinkit, Zepto, Swiggy and Zomato to discuss delivery timelines and the pressure faced by gig workers, according to news agency ANI. The ministry asked quick commerce companies to stop using ‘10-minute delivery’ in their taglines. Swiggy and Zepto are also expected to stop using 10-minute delivery.
Labour minister Mansukh Mandaviya is said to have urged companies to remove strict delivery deadlines that could put delivery partners at risk.
The move follows growing scrutiny of the quick commerce model. A nationwide strike by gig workers on December 25 and 31 last month brought back attention to issues around safety, pay and working conditions of gig workers.
During the Winter Session of the Parliament, AAP MP Raghav Chadha called for a ban on 10-minute deliveries and tighter rules for app-based delivery platforms. He said ultra-fast delivery targets often lead to unsafe working conditions on the ground.
Chadha held a meeting with some delivery workers of quick commerce platforms on December 31, and was also recently seen riding with Blinkit delivery partners to highlight the situation they work in.
Source: INC42
