Riders putting their lives at risk for paltry commissions

Zigzagging between vehicles whilst anxiously glancing at their phones to consult the navigation app so as to not miss a turn in Lahore’s chaotic traffic, food delivery riders are on the job nearly all day with only the deadest part of the wee hours offering some respite.

Customers just have to tap a few buttons from the comfort of their abode and thus starts the anxiety-inducing period of a rider who not only has to make it in time to get rave reviews and a tip if he is lucky but is also left to fend for himself as far as safety is concerned.

Imran, one such rider who is associated with a popular online service that delivers food and non-food items, while talking to The Express Tribune lamented about the long hours and the lack of safety measures. “Even though this profession has gained popularity in recent times, the commissions are measly and the risk is high,” he said.

When asked about the risks associated with the job, Imran replied that they had to break speeding limits, traffic lights, and any other safety laws just so they could deliver on time. “We are out here breaking our necks to ensure deliveries and yet the companies leave us on our own if we get into accidents.” Another rider, Rasheed, had a similar bone to pick with the mammoth corporations in the delivery scene, stating that riders are treated as collateral damage in the fulfilment of companies’ slogans of freaky fast deliveries. When asked if he was provided any accidental or health insurance in case of any untoward incident, Rasheed despondently informed that he wished this was the case.

“The company only provides the delivery kits.” Despite the harsh working conditions, Rasheed has no option of quitting given the state of the economy. “Rain or shine, I have to make deliveries to make ends meet. Hopefully, the government can formulate a policy to protect riders and stop the exploitation,” a visibly tired Rasheed said. The problems do not end with the lack of safety and measly commissions. Some riders reported a variety of problems including being mistreated, verbally abused, and having their deliveries stolen.

Abdul Rehman, who delivers for a well known restaurant in Lahore, told The Express Tribune that there was a lot of harassment involved as well. “Some angry customers harass us for late deliveries and either refuse to accept the food or do not pay. Similarly, restaurant management harasses us whenever there are any returns.” In such cases, the riders have to pay for the often pricey food items out of pocket. “It is like no one is on our side neither the customers, nor the government or corporations,” Abdul Rehman despondently remarked.

The Express Tribune also spoke to the hiring management of a popular corporation to inquire about the rider’s claims and was told that riders are insured against accidents and are also given various incentives for good performance. The management further informed that whenever there were fuel price hikes or if a driver was delivering late into the night, the company offered compensation accordingly. However, the management’s claims were in stark contrast with the reality of thousands of riders who deliver food and non-food items in every nook and cranny of Lahore often surviving on tips alone.

The dominant sentiment amongst the riders was that they were being exploited and could not quit because of a lack of options. One rider, who talked under the condition of anonymity, summing up the state of the riders, said: “Being late makes the customer angry and the corporation angry. So we try to accelerate our raggedy motorbikes to get to delivery points on time without paying any regard to our life but then the traffic police gets angry that we broke the law.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 12^th, 2022.