Delivery agents face wrath of police, unreasonable customers

Chennai

Delivery agents complained that the police have been stopping then often, thus delaying the delivery. Though they have passes, officials say it is not valid in the latest spell of lockdown.

“Earlier, we used to receive at least 25 to 30 orders per day. But in the past two weeks, receiving 10 orders itself has become difficult. Usually, we get more orders from offices but now all of them are closed.

As we are receiving fewer orders, our pay has been reduced. Earlier, we used to earn around Rs 6,000 per week, but now it has become hard to earn even Rs 3,000 a week,” said Vignesh, a food delivery person.

Another major reason for not receiving orders is the shift in payment mode. "As many customers prefer paying through cash, they often cancel the order when they realise there are only online payment options,” said another food delivery agent.

The agents added that residents of containment zones or houses are compelling them to deliver food at their doorstep.

“Now we deliver food at the main entrance of the apartment. Recently, I got an order from an apartment at a containment zone.

Though we told them it is not safe to deliver at their house, they forced me to take it to their house else threatened to cancel the order. If an order is cancelled, it is cut from the delivery agents pay," said Sridhar, a delivery person.