In this episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna first discuss the strike by gig workers on December 25th and 31st, what their demands are and whether the existing framework of payouts and stipulated minimum delivery time violates their rights.<\/p>\n
The hosts are joined by Shaikh Salahuddin, founder and president of Telangana Gig And Platform Workers Union, and Maitreyi Krishnan, a lawyer and president of the All India Lawyers Association for Justice.<\/p>\n
Shaikh Salahuddin first explains why they chose these dates for the strike. \u201cWe chose those dates as order pressure would be very high. Our target is to pressurise the aggregator companies to fulfil our demands. We waited five days after the December 25th strike for stakeholders to discuss our problems, but nobody came forward. On the 31st, we had to go on strike again to disrupt the flow of deliveries because the year-end would see a huge surge in demand,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
Tune in to the discussions here\u00a0<\/p>\n
Listen & follow on Apple<\/a><\/p>\n Listen & follow on Spotify<\/a><\/p>\n Listen & follow on YouTube<\/a><\/p>\n Shaikh adds that platforms came up with a one-day incentive to cover up for this, which he says is a tactic to manipulate personnel into working. He added that platforms used money and muscle power to thwart the strike.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have five demands\u2013 the old payout system can be implemented, but ten-minute delivery leads to several road accidents and deaths, so this must be stopped, and delivery personnel’s IDs are blocked without any hearing and upon simple complaint from the customer. The algorithm must also give some control to the personnel, and we want some dignity in the process. Personnel do not have places to wait at restaurants or stores, and proper washroom facilities are also absent. We want these basics to be fulfilled, not something unrealistic or over the top,\u201d Salahuddin further says.<\/p>\n Maitreyi says that this happens because the employer-employee relationship between the gig workers and their employers is not acknowledged. \u201cWhen you acknowledge this, you can see that what they demand is the most basic labour rights. There is most definitely an employer-employee relationship, and the state must intervene to enforce it. This veil of denial must not be allowed to thrive because they violate the rights of gig workers,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n Dhanya asks how governments can step in when governments themselves do not acknowledge this relationship, like in the case of the ASHA workers.<\/p>\n \u201cThe question is what governments must do, not what they don\u2019t do. It is the Constitutional responsibility of a government to step in and protect the rights of workers. Whether they would do it is a different question. We must push to ensure governments fulfil this, and strikes are important steps in that direction,\u201d Maitreyi says.<\/p>\n Pooja asks what we are looking at when we say enforcement must happen. Maitreyi says that the fact of the matter is that the labour laws are applicable, no matter what terminology is used to categorise workers.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThe blocking of IDs, for example, is ex parte and done at the complaint of customers. There is no opportunity for the workers to be heard. So this is not fair. Other factors like medical insurance, family benefits, and other social security guarantees must be stipulated and laid down,\u201d Maitreyi further says.\u00a0<\/p>\n Pooja points out how this whole system is tilted towards the benefit of customers and the companies, with no regard for the rights or demands of the workers. Maitreyi adds that the responsibility is not just on state governments but also on the Union.<\/p>\n In the second part of the discussion, the hosts delve into the upcoming elections in Kerala and Tamil Nadu and what alliances will fly and which of them will likely fail. The hosts are joined by senior journalist Dr RK Radhakrishnan.<\/p>\n Dhanya says that in Tamil Nadu, surveys say that actor Vijay, of the TVK, will garner major vote share in the state. RK Radhakrishnan says that we cannot really rely on these numbers as surveys have gone wrong earlier. \u201cVijay is the flavour of the season, and people have been picking Vijay, and we do not know if surveys are also counting in people below 18 years, in which case it is more likely that they would choose Vijay,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n He further answers Dhanya\u2019s questions on TVK\u2019s possible alliances. \u201cVijay draws massive crowds, and it looks like the best idea to ally with him at this point. With respect to Thiruparankundram, people are okay as long as their homes are not affected by the lamp lighting issue. Like the Sabarimala issue did not have traction outside the immediate locality, this will have no major impact. AMMK is not going anywhere near EPS because the AIADMK-BJP alliance is being pulled down by multiple factors,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n He then explains in detail the history of the alliance of Congress and DMK in the state. Pooja points out that DMK is crucial for any alliance and that after push and pull, the Congress will likely fall in line.<\/p>\n Maitreyi says that Karnataka is a lesson in recognising the dangerous role the BJP can play in shaking the political alliances in the state. Dr Radhakrishnan also points out that in Kerala, there has been a huge, concerning shift towards the right-wing in Kerala.<\/p>\n \u201cIn TN, both Dravidian parties have tried to safeguard their rights, like opposing three language policy, and so on. But this is not the same in Kerala. BJP still has not figured out its act in Tamil Nadu; they will focus on the state, and at least three or four ministers will be arrested on account of corruption and the like. In Kerala, an MLA seat may not manifest barring in Trivandrum, probably. Palakkad also has seen massive support for the BJP, but they may not convert to an MLA seat,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n Pooja points out that pan-India, Congress\u2019s presence in states has been seen as an easy route for the BJP to take over, as opposed to states with a strong presence of regional parties.<\/p>\n All this and more, tune in.\u00a0<\/p>\n Once a month, we will invite one TNM subscriber to the show. Write to us on what you would like to speak about to southcentral@thenewsminute.com<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n Send your thoughts, suggestions, and criticism as well.<\/p>\n You can also let us know what you think by filling out our quick feedback form<\/a>. Your suggestions help shape future episodes of South Central.<\/p>\n Audio Timecodes\u00a0<\/p>\n 00:00:00- Introduction\u00a0<\/p>\n 00:03:10 – Headlines\u00a0<\/p>\n 00:12:03 – Gig Workers Strike\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n 00:52:16 – TN & Kerala Elections\u00a0<\/p>\n 01:27:02-\u00a0 Recommendations\u00a0<\/p>\n References<\/p>\n A call from Kerala that spurred Karnataka CMO into action | Powertrip #132<\/a><\/p>\n Opinion: Karnataka Gig Workers Ordinance falls short of offering full protection<\/a><\/p>\n Gig workers\u2019 unions say strike was a success, dismiss Zomato, Blinkit sales claims<\/a><\/p>\n Gig Workers Now Legally Recognised Under India\u2019s Labour Codes, But Key Details Still Missing<\/a><\/p>\n DMK versus TVK: Coming to cinemas near you<\/a><\/p>\n Recommendations\u00a0<\/p>\n Dr RK Radhakrishnan<\/p>\n Coming Soon: Faceless People (Documentary)<\/p>\n Maitreyi Krishnan\u00a0<\/p>\n Dictatorship of the employer?<\/a><\/p>\n States and Minorities\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Pooja Prasanna<\/p>\n The New Yorker at 100<\/a><\/p>\n Let Me Explain with Pooja Prasanna<\/a><\/p>\n Dhanya Rajedran<\/p>\n The woman in the bathroom<\/a><\/p>\n Contribute to our reporting fund. 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