Riders of the online food delivery service Foodpanda are on strike protesting against company policies, delayed salaries, low wages and other basic rights.
Foodpanda users have been facing issues with orders for the last couple of days. That’s because Foodpanda riders are on strike against the company policies. The development came a few days after CEO Foodpanda Nauman Sikandar stepped down and left the company.
All Karachi Foodpanda riders association announced a strike from March 11th – 13th to protest against receiving a minimum wage.
The riders claim that Foodpanda is exploiting workers by taking full services from them and paying little in return. The association organised a peaceful protest and has been demanding full rights for riders and an increase in salaries.
Grievances
According to the list of grievances, the riders are not paid on time and are fired upon cancelling orders. The riders are paid a paltry Rs.65 for the first orders which is ultimately reduced to 32 and 19 rupees respectively. Customers are charged higher rates for delivery charges and hence the riders don’t receive any cuts.
Social media users are raising their voices against the unjust behaviour of the food delivering company and supporting their stance. The riders released a video message giving their management an ultimatum to fix irregularities and announced to call off the strike for two weeks.
They further announced that if irregularities were not fixed, they would further go on strike for 5 consecutive days and halt delivery operations.
Riders were also be seen chanting slogans against the food delivery giant. The delivery service has was also suspended in many parts of the city.
Controversies
This is not the first time Foodpanda riders have been complaining about the unprofessional working conditions. Last year in July, Foodpanda found itself under controversy yet again as riders held protests in Lahore against the company.
The riders claim that the company making is exploiting them by overworking and underpaying them. The Foodpanda riders rode to Lahore Press Club earlier this week in order to demand fairer wages and better working conditions.
A video on social media shows Foodpanda riders holding signs saying “Stop the economic killing of Foodpanda”, claiming the company is not living up to their side of the agreement.
Riders said they are expected to buy their own motorcycles and cellphones as part of their job requirements. They are then allotted a zone for deliveries but are sent on lengthy distances which exponentially increases the petrol cost.
Foodpanda has been under continuous scrutiny. The Competition Commission of Pakistan had also launched an inquiry against the company for alleged unlawful practices and monopolistic tendencies.
