Winds of Change: Issue 39
In this week's issue, we support the gig workers' right to gain employment, and say goodbye to the monsoon (not really though).
Welcome to Winds of Change, a weekly newsletter that collates my work as I chase the winds that bring us the monsoon and drive our turbines.
My notice period at ET continues, almost a little too slowly. I told myself I won't be one of those people who slack off and completely give up on work. But let me tell you, it is difficult to keep up.
You're constantly thinking about the way ahead. I've always been excited for shiny things, and this avenue is no different. But I tell myself, I need to be professional for two more weeks. If it only weren't so difficult.
Delivery executives of the world, unite!
Zomato's market cap reached $13 billion post its IPO, while Swiggy's recent fundraising that would take it to a valuation of $10 billion. Ola is at a similar astronomical figure, while I don't even want to get into the amount of zeroes Uber could fathomably have.
These companies are built on the backs of millions of drivers and delivery agents who don't have full-time employment status. They are conveniently called ‘partners’ instead of employees, thereby robbing them of basic worker rights such as a minimum wage, sick leave, and a provident fund.
These companies also call themselves ‘aggregators’, saying that they act as the curator of sorts of cabs or restaurants for the customer, and thereby shouldn't be held accountable towards providing employment.
But when you book a ride, you book it on the app. You track its path on the app, and ultimately, you pay on the app. This isn't an aggregator, it's a whole ecosystem, and in turn, should be liable to provide the same.
For better or for worse, these jobs are full time jobs, at least in India.
These workers are now uniting and realising that they can and should fight for some rights. Their demands are basic: full-time employment status, and a minimum wage. They are going to the Supreme Court to fight the aforementioned four companies. We decode all that and the way ahead for the workers, the companies, and our ‘gig economy’ that has seen people throng to it.
Personally, I'm really glad that this move is happening. I've always been pro-unionisation, and have even advocated for it in newsrooms (before being hushed down). Collective might is the only one that would work.
Monsoon is over, but Megha is still lurking around
The monsoon season officially came to an end on September 30.
Tumultuous to say the least, the season was marked by active and weak phases — it rained for fewer days than usual, but when it did, it rained a lot.
We ended the season with just 0.7% below normal, which resulted in the third consecutive year of normal monsoon season.
However, monsoon winds have not made their withdrawal from the Indian subcontinent yet. We'll be seeing post-monsoon showers well into October, albeit with lesser intensity. Withdrawal is only expected to begin on October 6, three weeks after its normal date. It will finish by the last week of the month.
That's all for this week's issue. Thank you for reading! This issue was written by me, Shashwat Mohanty, and the artwork was produced by Devika Menon for Winds of Change.
I hope you learnt something new. Please feel free to reply to me about any errors or typos you spotted, any clarifications, and most importantly, any feedback. Till next Sunday!