The Delivery Boy: A Sociological Perspective

By Amitabh Ghosh

​Humanity is rapidly devolving into an increasingly anti-social existence—where this decline will eventually lead is anyone’s guess.

​Day and night, labourers in our country’s unorganized sector toil relentlessly, earning a meagre pittance through the sweat of their brows. As citizens, they possess the fundamental right to live with dignity and self-respect. Yet, ignoring this basic sense of human rights, the affluent often treat these hardworking individuals with cold indifference.

​At the slightest hint of self-interest being compromised or a minor bruise to their ego, the privileged do not hesitate to turn violent against the innocent. They humiliate them in public with such disdain that the voice of the weak is effectively silenced forever.

​The recent tragedy in Dharmanagar is not an isolated incident occurring in some remote corner of the country; rather, it is symptomatic of a trend seen nationwide. This penchant for "mob justice" is growing daily. How much can a poor delivery boy endure? In the end, he was forced to choose suicide as his final escape.

​Sociology must investigate the root causes of this phenomenon. It must prescribe a cure, and the government must take effective action; otherwise, this social decay cannot be halted.

​Recently, in Parliament, it is observed a discussion regarding the risks associated with the daily services provided by this vast workforce. MP Raghav Chadha presented the issue eloquently and in great detail. Although the government has introduced some changes to labour laws, no real benefit will manifest unless the socio-economic condition of the unorganized workforce is fundamentally improved. The dream of a "Developed India" (Viksit Bharat) will remain unfulfilled.

​Furthermore, the recent crisis at IndiGo Airlines disturbed many. It shouldn't be dismissed merely as a "corporate crisis." To prevent future disasters, we must uncover the true causes and take appropriate measures to ensure they do not recur.

​Consider for a moment how dependent we have become on home delivery services and the comforts we enjoy today. Yet, we rarely reflect on how we behave toward the delivery boy who brings "Direct to Home" goods to our doorstep, catering to our every need and whim.

​Giants like Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra, Meesho, Zomato, Swiggy, Blinkit, Big Basket, Reliance, and Tata operate on a "Direct to Customer" model. Their logistical backbone is supported by companies like E-kart, Delhivery, XpressBees, Shadowfax, Shiprocket, ComExpress, Blue Dart, and DTDC. Aside from a few high-ranking officials in corporate offices, these organizations have no regular workforce. This massive machinery runs entirely on temporary, contractual labourers lured by the promise of incentives. Driven by the greed for extra income, these workers endure back-breaking labour day after day. In the race for "on-time delivery," they navigate city alleys and highways at breakneck speeds, risking their lives through sun, rain, and storm.

​Similarly, in metros and mid-sized cities, third-party service providers like Ola, Uber, and Rapido dominate the market. In every instance, clever methods are used to bypass labour laws, exploiting unorganized workers for corporate interests and multinational profits.

​If you observe closely, you will see that people in this profession often quit or change jobs after a short period out of sheer desperation. Realizing there is no job security to support a family, they eventually find themselves drifting into yet another uncertain role.

​Though they work in the unorganized sector, their numbers are vast. Today, there is no room to belittle them; their labour plays a monumental role in India’s GDP growth.

​The term "Outsourcing" has become common lately. Originating in America, this is a labour-hostile recruitment strategy devised by multinational corporations. By hiring temporary staff through third-party agencies, these corporations absolve themselves of all responsibility. It is a calculated strategy to ensure corporate profit while keeping workers in a state of perpetual insecurity—a tactic of capitalism to maintain total control.

​This "Outsourcing culture" was imported to India years ago and has now flourished. From the private sector, it is gradually consuming government departments as well.

​Therefore, to sustain these workers in their struggle for survival, the Ministry of Labour must take a proactive role. A Regulatory Commission must be empowered to mandate corporate compliance. We must ensure a minimum satisfactory wage adjusted for inflation, social and family security, medical coverage for workplace accidents, old-age pensions, and one-time compensation or pensions in the event of death or disability.

​Only when the socio-economic status of these unorganized workers improves will their social dignity rise. Their sense of responsibility toward society will grow in tandem. Only then will the mistreatment by the so-called affluent cease, this social decay vanishes, and a truly "Developed India" (Viksit Bharat) be born.