“Riders Are Not Data Points”: MP Raghav Chadha Flags Gig Workers’ Rights After Meeting Them

January 2, 2026

Chandigarh: Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha expressed serious concerns about the gig economy after talking to delivery riders of instant-commerce platforms like Zomato, Swiggy, Blinkit and others. He clarified that this is not a complaint or an accusation, but the voice of those whose hard work supports the daily life of the country.

I sat down with delivery riders of Zomato, Swiggy, Blinkit etc. This is not a rant. This is a conversation with those whose lives power our everyday comfort.

It’s tragic that millions of delivery riders who helped build instant-commerce companies into what they are today, are… pic.twitter.com/lcFKE8srfu

— Raghav Chadha (@raghav_chadha) January 2, 2026

“Companies are built on human efforts, not algorithms”

Raghav Chadha said that the success of instant delivery companies is not just because of technology or algorithms, but is the result of the sweat and labour of lakhs of riders who worked in all weathers and all conditions.

Riders forced to protest to be heard

Describing it as a “tragedy”, the MP said that the riders who helped these companies reach great heights are now forced to take to the streets to demand their basic rights and respect.

“Riders are human beings, not data points”

Raghav Chadha urged companies to see delivery riders as human beings, not just data points in the system. He said issues like working hours, income stability and social security should be taken seriously.

Ethical questions on the gig economy

He warned that the gig economy cannot be allowed to become an “economy of blameless exploitation”. According to him, if timely policy reforms are not implemented, this model will deepen social inequality.

Call for Policy Debate

Raghav Chadha’s statement is being seen as the start of a new debate on the rights of gig workers, labor laws, and the responsibility of digital platforms.