Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has asked major e-commerce and quick-commerce platforms to remove 10-minute delivery promises, citing concerns over the safety and well-being of gig workers. The directive was discussed in a meeting with executives from Blinkit, Zepto, Zomato, and Swiggy. Blinkit has already updated its tagline from “10,000 plus products delivered in 10 minutes” to “30,000 plus products delivered at your doorstep,” with other platforms expected to follow soon, ANI reported.
The government’s move comes amid growing public debate over the working conditions of delivery partners, who often face pressure to meet extremely tight timelines. Mandaviya reportedly urged the platforms to prioritize safety and remove delivery-time commitments from advertisements and social media posts.
The issue gained attention after AAP Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha highlighted the “pain and misery” of gig workers in Parliament, calling for regulations that ensure fair pay, social security benefits, and safer working conditions. Speaking to the media, Chadha welcomed the government’s decision, saying, “Satyamev Jayate. Together, we have won. This is a much-needed step because when ’10 minutes’ is printed on a rider’s t-shirt, jacket, or bag and a timer runs on the customer’s screen, the pressure is real, constant, and dangerous. This step will help ensure safety of the delivery riders, and everyone who shares our roads.”
Chadha added that many delivery partners are overworked and underpaid while risking their lives to fulfill unrealistic promises. “I thank every citizen who stood with us—you stood firmly on the side of human life, safety, and dignity. And to every gig worker—you’re not alone, we’re all with you,” he said.
The move aligns with provisions of the Code on Social Security, 2020, which provides social security benefits for gig and platform workers, including health and accident insurance, maternity benefits, and old-age protection. The Ministry of Labour and Employment has also set up the e-Shram portal to maintain a national database of unorganised and platform workers, aimed at improving their welfare.
The decision follows growing pressure from gig workers themselves. On December 31, 2025, delivery workers staged a nationwide strike demanding better pay, safer working conditions, and the removal of arbitrary time-based delivery targets. The government’s intervention is being seen as a major step toward improving working conditions for India’s gig workforce.
