E-Commerce Firms Expand Heatwave Protection Measures For Delivery Workers

Both e-commerce and quick commerce enterprises have ramped up their efforts to provide adequate protection from excessive heat to delivery employees amid rising temperatures that have touched above 40°C in many places across India.

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The move comes after a prolonged spell of a heatwave that has posed serious challenges for the performance of deliveries.

Companies Add Cooling Facilities, Medical Support

Amazon said it is expanding Project Ashray, its network of air-conditioned rest stops across major cities. According to the company, the initiative currently includes 100 centres serving over 1.5 lakh delivery workers every month, including workers outside Amazon’s network.

The company said it uses heat-index monitoring systems to track humidity and temperature levels and adjusts workflows during extreme weather conditions. Additional breaks and app-based reminders are also being provided to delivery workers.

Flipkart said it has increased hydration and refreshment support across delivery routes and hubs while upgrading rest areas at fulfilment and delivery centres.

The company added that its frontline workers and delivery partners have access to a “Doctor on Call” service for themselves and family members for health consultations related to seasonal illnesses and heat-related fatigue.

Quick Commerce Platforms Increase Welfare Measures

Eternal, the parent company of Zomato and Blinkit, said it has introduced several heat-relief measures across Blinkit dark stores, including pedestal fans, benches, air coolers, and water dispensers.

The company said more than 1.5 lakh glucose sachets are being distributed daily to delivery workers during the summer season.

According to Eternal, Zomato delivery partners can access over 5,000 rest points across India through partnerships with restaurants, fuel stations, and service centres. These locations provide drinking water, seating, washroom access, and shaded resting spaces.

The company also said delivery partners are covered under a health insurance programme that includes OPD reimbursement of up to ₹5,000 and hospitalisation coverage of up to ₹1 lakh. The insurance programme also includes ambulance support, accidental death cover, and emergency SOS assistance through delivery applications.

Separately, Zomato founder Deepinder Goyal said in a LinkedIn post that the company has started piloting cooling vests for more than 2,500 delivery workers across 14 cities. Zepto, Swiggy, and Delhivery had not responded to media queries at the time of publication.

Worker Unions Seek Mandatory Heatwave Protection

The Union of Workers has demanded mandatory protection against heat waves for gig and platform workers. Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT) and Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union have written to the Ministry of Labour and Employment demanding mandatory protection against heat waves as per the provisions of the Code on Social Security, 2020.

It includes provision for compulsory cooling breaks in orange and red alert issued by the India Meteorological Department, free access to drinking water and cooling centers, emergency heat distress relief mechanism, and exemption from penal action for halting work due to heatwaves.

IFAT has stated that the rise in temperatures is now emerging as a risk factor for workers using application-based modes of transportation and deliveries working outdoors throughout the day.

This emphasis on heat waves indicates the impact of weather extremities as an important operational challenge in delivery-based companies.