
South Central 10-minute delivery at what cost? South Central on gig worker rights | Episode 56
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Jan 2, 2026 Shaikh Salahuddin, founder of the Telangana Gig And Platform Workers Union, discusses the recent strikes by gig workers, emphasizing their demands for fair pay and the harms of 10-minute delivery targets. Maitreyi Krishnan, a lawyer advocating for workers' rights, highlights the need for legal recognition of gig workers and government intervention. Dr. RK Radhakrishnan offers insights into Tamil Nadu and Kerala’s electoral politics, analyzing alliances and the influence of local narratives. Together, they unpack the complex dynamics of labor rights and regional politics.
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Platforms Used Ads And Threats During Strike
- Shaikh Salahuddin described platforms deploying rapid incentives and PR to undermine strikes.
- He recounted managers threatening ID blocks and using ads and celebrity posts to lure workers back.
Ten-Minute Targets Harm Workers
- Ten-minute delivery targets create severe safety and dignity harms for delivery workers.
- Workers link these targets to accidents, stress, arbitrary penalties and poor working conditions.
Strikes Force Visibility On Regulation Gaps
- Strikes expose governmental inaction and can compel regulatory response.
- Worker withdrawal reveals their essential role and pressures both companies and state to act.


