Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Apr 26: With extreme heat affecting much of India, a major organisation representing gig and platform workers has called for legally enforceable protections to shield workers from dangerous heatwave conditions.

The Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT) has written to the Ministry of Labour and Employment, India urging the introduction of mandatory safeguards under the Code on Social Security, 2020, which governs welfare provisions for gig and platform workers.

The federation warned that delivery workers, ride-hailing drivers, and home-service personnel are currently operating in severe heatwave conditions without adequate protection, exposing them to serious health and safety risks.

Among its key proposals are paid cooling breaks during orange and red heat alerts issued by the India Meteorological Department, along with protection from penalties, account suspensions, or reduced incentives when workers pause duties due to extreme temperatures.

IFAT has also demanded guaranteed access to drinking water, oral rehydration solutions, and designated cooling shelters for workers operating outdoors. It further suggested the creation of in-app emergency distress systems and public transparency dashboards to ensure accountability from platform companies.

The federation cited international examples, noting that countries such as South Korea, Singapore, France, Japan, the United States (including California), and the United Arab Emirates have already implemented heat protection measures for gig and platform workers.

Calling the situation urgent, IFAT stressed that heat safety should be treated as a fundamental labour right rather than a discretionary benefit, describing it as essential for both public health and worker dignity.