'Hardest part of the job is...': Swiggy agent shares challenges faced in collecting orders from...

A Swiggy delivery agent has gone viral on social media for sharing the difficulties faced while collecting food orders from large malls. As online food delivery grows, more people are taking up delivery jobs, but the challenges they face often go unnoticed.

In a viral Instagram video that has garnered over 2.8 million views, the delivery agent, who goes by the handle @amriithah, shared the “hardest and most hated part” of the job. The clip focuses on the struggle of collecting orders from malls, especially Lulu Mall in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, which is known to be Asia’s second-largest mall.

The agent explained the process, which is both time-consuming and physically demanding. They have to park their vehicles in designated slots outside the mall, take the service lift, walk to the food court, and locate the specific food outlet. After collecting the order, they must exit through the regular, often crowded, mall exit. This routine can take anywhere between 10 to 20 minutes per order, yet delivery agents receive no additional payment for the extra effort.

For every 5 kilometers traveled, delivery agents are paid Rs 25. However, navigating large malls adds significant time and effort to their job, without any compensation for the inconvenience. In the caption accompanying the post, the agent asked why malls couldn’t streamline the process by collecting orders at a central point or why delivery agents aren’t paid extra for these situations.

The video struck a chord with viewers, many of whom expressed support for the delivery agents. One commenter pointed out that some malls restrict delivery workers from using main entrances, elevators, or even customer restrooms. Another shared their own experience of facing similar challenges while working part-time for Zomato.

Several users urged Swiggy to address the issue, suggesting higher pay for deliveries involving malls. NDTV reached out to Swiggy for a response, but the company has yet to comment.

This incident sheds light on the unseen struggles faced by food delivery workers and the need for better working conditions and fairer policies.