Early market closures to squeeze delivery riders’ income

The recently announced energy conservation measures may turn into an occupational nightmare for thousands of riders engaged in the food and grocery delivery business nationwide. The National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Plan envisages the closure of commercial markets by 8:30pm every evening. Riders say their incomes will nosedive if the cut-off is applied to the food delivery business as well. “I’m frightened. Fewer rides a day will mean no bonus. My expenses are already mounting. No way I can manage with a cut in income,” said Hassan Shaikh, a food-delivery rider, while speaking to Dawn on Wednesday. By bonus, he means the extra Rs3,800 he gets for delivering 140 orders from Monday through Thursday. The additional payment for completing 135 trips on busier Friday, Saturday and Sunday is Rs4,500. The bonus can add up to more than Rs33,000 to an efficient rider’s usual take-home income every month — an amount that Mr Shaikh says is central to his financial well-being.