Delivering discrimination? India’s gig workers see access denied by class divide

Every once in a while, the head of India’s leading food delivery platform dons the company’s signature red jacket and bag to gain a first-hand insight into the experiences of his delivery agents.

Recently, Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal took this initiative to Ambience Mall, a bustling shopping centre in New Delhi, where he attempted to deliver a “pretend” package.

His experience was eye-opening. A security guard stopped him from taking the lift to the third floor, pointing him to the stairs instead.

Frustrated, Goyal shared his thoughts on Instagram on October 6, calling for Indian shopping centres to treat delivery agents more humanely.

His post, which included a video of his experience, sparked a wave of complaints from workers across various companies, highlighting widespread discriminatory treatment not only in shopping centres but also in gated communities.