Online Food Delivery Service, Working Conditions, and Associated Challenges: A Study on the Delivery Boys in Bhubaneswar City

Abstract

The current scenario of the post-pandemic period, characterized by digital prominence, has influenced socioeconomic life in many ways throughout the world. Online business platforms, especially in food delivery, have achieved huge success due to people’s increasing access to the internet and mobile phones. It has provided employment opportunities for individuals working as “delivery boys” during the critical phase of COVID-19. This paper aims to focus on the impact of online food delivery services and explore the working conditions and related challenges faced by delivery boys, particularly in the city of Bhubaneswar. The significance of this study is to understand and acknowledge the various challenges related to the working conditions of people involved in the expanding online food delivery business and to make necessary modifications to existing policies, if necessary, to promote a better work culture and secure earnings. The working conditions of delivery boys are found to be surrounded by multiple challenges, especially in terms of personal safety and social security. Most delivery boys are young, less educated, and unaware of the social security provisions, and they are frequently exposed to the risk of accidents and other challenges. Unfortunately, existing government policies to protect the interests of those engaged in such delivery jobs, particularly in terms of access to social security benefits, are not effectively implemented.