New Delhi: The death by suicide of 24-year-old delivery worker Sameer Hussain, who was allegedly assaulted by two men in east Delhi after refusing to accept a torn Rs 10 note, has brought into focus the abuse gig workers face while delivering orders. Hussain, who worked with Flipkart Minutes, died on 20 October, the same day police arrested the two accused, identified as Rakesh and Rampal Singh.
The incident took place on 4 October in East Vinod Nagar. Hussain had refused to accept the torn note from a customer who had taken around 15 minutes to arrange the payment. He alleged that the customer slapped and insulted him, and that another man also assaulted him.
Before his death, Hussain recorded a video recounting the incident and warning that he would consume poison if his complaint went unheard.
He was admitted to Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital on 5 October after allegedly consuming poison and died after spending 16 days in hospital. Following his death, police added Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with abetment of suicide, to the case.
The incident has renewed attention on the treatment of gig workers, who often face abuse from customers while delivering orders.
“People must understand the conditions of gig workers and behave well. They are serving people and deserve respect,” said Sanjay Gaba, president of the All India Gig and Platform Workers Union.
Gaba said gig workers are not considered employees. The Labour Codes define a gig worker as someone who performs work or earns outside a traditional employer-employee relationship.
The Modi government integrated gig and platform workers into India’s legal and welfare framework through the Code on Social Security, 2020.
“The government should give gig workers employee status and link them with minimum wages,” Gaba said, adding that they lack legal protection.
Gaba said the union receives complaints every day from gig workers about customers misbehaving with them. He recently received complaints from Faridabad and Pune.
“It’s not only about Delhi. They face insults across India. Gig workers are one of the largest workforces in India. The government must have a clear vision for gig workers,” he said.
Gig workers recounted their daily experiences of dealing with customers.
Anurag Singh, 26, from east Delhi, has worked with an e-commerce platform for the past two years. Before joining the gig economy, Singh ran a retail shop but became a gig worker after incurring losses.
“Every day I face bad experiences. People talk rudely and misbehave over small things. They must respect us as we are working for them,” Singh said.
Singh described what happened to Hussain as unfortunate and said the police should take strict action against the accused.
(Edited by Prashant Dixit)