Hyderabad: Gig workers engaged in food delivery, quick commerce and other app-based services in Hyderabad have welcomed an initiative to provide dedicated rest stops, saying the facilities offer much-needed relief during long working hours.
However, they hope more such centres will come up across the city, closer to their delivery zones.
Spending nearly 10 to 12 hours a day on the roads, delivery personnel often look for places to rest, have meals, charge their phones and access drinking water between assignments.
Initiatives such as Amazon India’s Ashray rest centre in Kondapur offer them a dedicated space to take a break.
Akhilesh, a delivery worker from Bihar, was waiting for his next order under the shade of a tree after parking his motorcycle.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, he said he was unaware of the Ashray facility in Kondapur.
“I usually stop somewhere to rest or have lunch before starting work again.
I was not aware of this centre, but such an initiative would definitely help people like us,” he said, adding that he works for nearly 10 to 12 hours a day.
Another delivery worker, S. Prashanth, said similar facilities across Hyderabad would make them more accessible to workers.
“If such centres are available at more locations, delivery workers can use them without travelling far from their work areas,” he said.
On Tuesday, a few delivery partners were seen resting at the Ashray centre, which provides seating, drinking water, toilets, fans, mobile charging points and parking facilities.
M. Rakesh, a gig worker, had learnt about the facility only a few days ago.
“I came here to charge my mobile phone and take some rest in the afternoon.
The temperatures are high these days, and we need some time to relax between deliveries.
This place is helpful for workers like us,” he said.
The centre is part of the Ashray initiative, being implemented under a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish facilities across Hyderabad as part of Amazon’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme.
While one centre has been inaugurated in Kondapur, they are yet to be made operational in Tellapur, Patancheru, Bharathinagar and Chandanagar.
The rest stops are open free of charge to gig workers across all platforms and provide air-conditioning, drinking water, mobile charging facilities, free Wi-Fi and seating.
The initiative aims to provide delivery partners with convenient spaces to take breaks during their demanding work schedules.
Workers said locating such facilities near busy delivery hubs would help them make better use of the amenities.
As app-based services continue to expand across Hyderabad, gig workers hope additional rest stops will make it easier and more comfortable to take breaks during the working day.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: deccanchronicle.com
