Odisha Introduces Road Safety Program for Delivery Workers – Full Details

In light of these increasing concerns about the safety of delivery workers, the Odisha government has initiated a comprehensive road safety and emergency response training program, involving gig workers. This training will be focused on the increasing delivery worker road difficulties especially bicycle and scooter workers and accidents and hazards that increase amongst delivery workers.

Why Is Road Safety Training Needed?

Many activist and civil society groups have pointed to the precarious situation of delivery workers who often work in challenging situations. Online delivery companies are in fierce competition to provide ultra fast service to consumers and often put pressure on gig workers to take risks such as speeding or breaking traffic laws or working in unsafe areas and bad weather conditions.

As an added hazard, workers are further exposed without access to proper safety equipment such as helmets, jackets with reflective colors or knee guards. Many workers have no insurance or health coverage, leaving them vulnerable to accidents. In a petition written to the Prime Minister, a complainant underscored that workers are also vulnerable to harassment from customers and traffic police.

What Is the Government Doing?

The Labour and ESI Department instructed the Commerce and Transport Department to develop implementable safety standards for delivery platforms as per the Prime Minister’s Office. The Transport Commissioner has been given the responsibility and direction to develop a plan to train gig workers about road safety and safety measures in emergencies.

As of 2021, there were an estimated 52,123 gig workers working in Odisha which is likely higher now given the expansion of delivery platforms.

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