As temperatures surge across India, the intensity of the summer has become difficult to ignore. With several cities grappling with extreme heat conditions, concerns are mounting for those who spend long hours outdoors. Keeping the point at the centre, a national body representing app-based drivers and delivery personnel has stepped forward with a strong appeal for worker safety. The Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers has formally written to the Ministry of Labour and Employment, pressing for enforceable protections against heatwaves.
The federation has recommended that these safeguards be incorporated under the Code on Social Security, 2020, which governs welfare provisions for gig and platform workers in the country. In its communication, IFAT highlighted the urgent need for systemic measures to ensure that workers are not left vulnerable during extreme weather conditions.
Among the measures proposed are paid cooling breaks during weather alerts issued by the India Meteorological Department, particularly during Orange and Red alerts. The federation has also sought protection from punitive actions such as reduced incentives, penalties, or ID suspensions if workers pause duties due to heat stress.
Additionally, IFAT has called for guaranteed access to essential facilities like clean drinking water, oral rehydration salts, and designated cooling shelters. The proposals also extend to technological solutions, including in-app emergency distress features and publicly accessible compliance dashboards to ensure accountability among platform companies.
Workers Face Daily Heat Risks Without Protection
According to IFAT, delivery executives, ride-hailing drivers, and home-service professionals continue to operate in severe heat without adequate safeguards, exposing them to serious health hazards. The federation stressed that this lack of protection is a pressing labour and public health concern.
To support its case, IFAT referenced global examples, noting that countries such as South Korea, Singapore, France, Japan, the UAE, and even regions like California in the United States have already implemented similar protections for gig workers. “Heat protection is not a privilege. It is a labour right, a public health necessity, and a matter of dignity,” IFAT said in its letter.
