Swiggy: Swiggy pays Rs 31 crore to delivery workers in insurance claims

The SoftBank-backed company said it has been providing insurance to its delivery partners since 2015. Swiggy has around three lakh delivery partners across 500 cities in India.

The company now has partnered with Reliance General Insurance to cover health insurance, personal accident and accidental death, and mobile phone damages. Delivery workers can avail of mobile insurance coverage of Rs 5,000. Along with hospitalisation and OPD cover, Swiggy delivery workers receive Rs 10,00,000 in case of fatalities, with 96% of the claims getting settled within seven days.

This announcement comes following increasing scrutiny on tech companies to compensate gig workers adequately even as these companies try to make profits at the same time.

Also read | Fresh trouble for Blinkit as over 1,000 riders join rivals

Swiggy’s rival Zomato has also introduced a number of benefits for its gig workers. The Gurgaon-based company had said on September 27, 2022, that it is piloting a health cover worth Rs 3 lakh extendable to families for delivery workers who have been with the company for 2-3 years as a loyalty benefit. It already provides a life cover and an amount for funeral expenses in case of a delivery partner’s death.

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Swiggy, Zomato’s quick commerce service and Accel Partner-backed home service provider Urban Company have faced protests from workers in recent times over payouts. A recent survey on the state of gig workers including those working for Swiggy and Zomato showed that delivery workers were earning less each year and were unable to save money. About 47% of respondents said they had no form of insurance.

“Delivery partners are the backbone of our service. There is a common misconception that since they are not employees, they do not have access to healthcare support from Swiggy,” said Mihir Shah, head of operations at Swiggy. “For several years now, we have provided carefully considered insurance and other benefits to our delivery partners and their families. Swiggy remains committed to providing industry-best safety and well-being practices to our delivery partners.”

The SoftBank-backed company said it has been providing insurance to its delivery partners since 2015. Swiggy has around three lakh delivery partners across 500 cities in India.

The company now has partnered with Reliance General Insurance to cover health insurance, personal accident and accidental death, and mobile phone damages. Delivery workers can avail of mobile insurance coverage of Rs 5,000. Along with hospitalisation and OPD cover, Swiggy delivery workers receive Rs 10,00,000 in case of fatalities, with 96% of the claims getting settled within seven days.

This announcement comes following increasing scrutiny on tech companies to compensate gig workers adequately even as these companies try to make profits at the same time.

Also read | Fresh trouble for Blinkit as over 1,000 riders join rivals

Swiggy’s rival Zomato has also introduced a number of benefits for its gig workers. The Gurgaon-based company had said on September 27, 2022, that it is piloting a health cover worth Rs 3 lakh extendable to families for delivery workers who have been with the company for 2-3 years as a loyalty benefit. It already provides a life cover and an amount for funeral expenses in case of a delivery partner’s death.

Discover the stories of your interest

Swiggy, Zomato’s quick commerce service and Accel Partner-backed home service provider Urban Company have faced protests from workers in recent times over payouts. A recent survey on the state of gig workers including those working for Swiggy and Zomato showed that delivery workers were earning less each year and were unable to save money. About 47% of respondents said they had no form of insurance.

“Delivery partners are the backbone of our service. There is a common misconception that since they are not employees, they do not have access to healthcare support from Swiggy,” said Mihir Shah, head of operations at Swiggy. “For several years now, we have provided carefully considered insurance and other benefits to our delivery partners and their families. Swiggy remains committed to providing industry-best safety and well-being practices to our delivery partners.”