Rakesh had been a “gold” level gig worker for Swiggy, India’s second-largest food delivery app. He delivered at least 100 orders a week, over 14-hour shifts. The prestigious ranking made him and his family eligible for company-sponsored health insurance, among other benefits. But by the time a gynecologist recommended an urgent procedure — which cost 1,20,000 rupees ($1,440) — for Rakesh’s wife, she was no longer covered by Swiggy’s insurance. He had missed days of work while attending to her health, which caused his app ranking to drop to silver, making his family ineligible for company benefits.
…Rolled out in 2023, Swiggy’s gold, silver, and bronze rankings for its gig workforce are based on a dynamic rating system — it changes weekly depending on the quality and quantity of work. Workers with a higher ranking get perks such as the ability to book the following week’s shifts in advance and “attractive interest rates” on personal loans. The program also includes health insurance as a benefit, which can change every week.
…Researchers told Rest of World the dynamic insurance plan could be part of Swiggy’s efforts to cut costs as it prepares for an initial public offering. The company has already laid off part of its workforce and increased prices for customers to cut corners and make more income. The 10-year-old company, last valued at around $10.7 billion in January 2022, posted a loss of over $500 million during the 2023 financial year.
Bansal, V. (2024, April 12). This delivery app takes away health insurance when workers don’t meet quotas. Rest of World. https://restofworld.org/2024/swiggy-health-insurance-quotas/