Hyderabad: Gig and platform workers in Hyderabad spend nearly 10 to 12 hours a day on the roads, often struggling to find places to rest, have meals, charge their phones and access drinking water between work orders. Amazon India's Ashray rest centre in Kondapur, established in collaboration with the Cyberabad Municipal Corporation, aims to address these needs by providing basic facilities. However, 38 days after its launch, many delivery partners remain unaware of the centre's location and the amenities available.
The centre offers an air-conditioned space, drinking water, tea, coffee, mobile charging facilities and washrooms. Open from 9 am to 7 pm, it is accessible to men and women working across different gig platforms. Workers can stay as long as they wish during operating hours and leave whenever they receive an order. Entry is permitted after verification of their platform identity cards, while first-time visitors must register through a barcode scan.
Speaking to The Pioneer, Gireesh, an Amazon representative overseeing the centre, said around 10 to 15 delivery partners visit the facility every day, compared to just three or four during its initial days. Awareness has increased following media coverage and videos shared on Instagram. Workers are also encouraged to spread information about the facility through WhatsApp groups and among fellow delivery partners.
"We verify workers' IDs before allowing them entry and record their details. Registration through the barcode is required only once. Workers can stay as long as they wish during the centre's operating hours. Charging facilities, drinking water, washrooms, tea and coffee are provided free of cost," Gireesh said.
Representatives from the company and the authorities are expected to visit the centre once a week to ensure that the facilities are properly maintained.
Nagraj, a Rapido rider who regularly visits the centre, said it provides much-needed relief after several hours of work. He starts his day around 6 am and works until noon before visiting the centre in the afternoon to rest and then resuming work.
"I came to know about the centre through an Instagram video and later noticed the board outside. Earlier, we had to rest under trees when tired. If our phones ran out of charge, we had to return home, as even power banks would run out of battery due to continuous use of online applications," he said.
He said the centre allows workers to rest, charge their phones, have refreshments and use the washrooms. He also brings his lunch from home. However, he stressed the need for more such facilities in busy areas and delivery hotspots such as Madhapur.
Meanwhile, the Cyberabad Municipal Corporation's Serilingampally Zone and Amazon India have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish gig worker rest-stop portal cabins at five locations under Amazon's corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative.
Amazon India will bear the entire cost of establishing and maintaining these facilities. The rest stops will be open free of charge to gig workers across all platforms and will offer air-conditioning, drinking water, mobile charging, free Wi-Fi and seating facilities.
Despite the initiative, several delivery partners remain unaware of the facility. Abhisheik, a delivery worker from Bihar, was waiting for his next order under a tree after parking his motorcycle. He told The Pioneer that he had no knowledge of the Ashray centre in Kondapur.
"I usually stop somewhere to rest or have lunch before resuming work. I was not aware of this centre, but such an initiative would definitely help workers like us," he said, adding that he works for nearly 10 to 12 hours a day.
Gig and platform workers said establishing more rest stops near busy delivery zones and creating awareness about their locations would help more delivery partners access these facilities and take much-needed breaks during their working hours.