In a country where convenience has become a click away, the gig economy is running on the shoulders of thousands of delivery workers who bring groceries and essentials to people’s doorsteps, regardless of rain, heat or traffic snarls. But have you ever wondered how much they actually earn for each order? (News18 Kannda/AI-Generated Image)
A recent experiment by a YouTuber has sparked a wider debate on the earnings of Blinkit delivery partners. Instead of relying on speculation, the content creator signed up with the platform, worked as a delivery partner, and documented his experience on video – from receiving an order on the app, to collecting items from a store, and finally delivering them to a customer. (News18 Kannda)
The order in question was just 1.2 kilometres away. The YouTuber collected the groceries, navigated through the map, and delivered the package. Once the order was marked as “delivered” on the Blinkit app, the payout details appeared on screen. For that entire trip, he was paid Rs 22.46. (News18 Kannda)
According to the video, Blinkit offers a fixed base pay per delivery, which typically covers distances up to 1 kilometre. For additional distance, partners reportedly earn between Rs 10 and Rs 14 per kilometre. However, for the 1.1 km trip in this instance, only the base pay applied. (News18 Kannda/AI-Generated Image)
The earnings, though, are not net savings. After deducting fuel costs, vehicle wear and tear, and the value of the time spent, what remains is negligible. (News18 Kannda)
Further, delivery partners are classified as independent contractors, not employees. This means they do not receive benefits such as provident fund, health insurance, or a fixed salary. (News18 Kannda/AI-Generated Image)
One of the more pressing issues raised in the video is the absence of compensation for the return trip. A delivery partner who travels 5 kms to a customer’s location must bear the cost and time of returning to the order zone at their own expense. Factors such as traffic congestion, poor road conditions and delays are not considered in the payout model. (News18 Kannda/AI-Generated Image)
The viral clip has reignited discussions about the growing disparity between the effort of delivery workers and the compensation they receive. While many customers simply sign off on the delivery, the video suggests that even a small tip could make a noticeable difference to workers who spend long hours on the road to ensure doorstep convenience. (News18 Kannda/AI-Generated Image)
