TGPWU condemns harassment of delivery worker over Santa Claus costume in Indore
Hyderabad: The Telangana Gig and Platform Workers’ Union (TGPWU) has condemned the harassment of a Zomato delivery worker in Indore who was forced to remove a Santa Claus costume by an individual questioning its cultural and religious significance.
Gig workers, including delivery personnel, already face numerous challenges, such as long hours, low wages, and poor working conditions. The added scrutiny over their attire only worsens their situation.
The worker, who wore the Santa Claus costume as part of a company directive to promote festive cheer and align with marketing campaigns, reported being harassed for his choice of outfit. The TGPWU argues that it is unacceptable for individuals to impose personal or religious biases on workers who are simply doing their jobs.
We @TGPWU condemns the harassment of a @zomato delivery worker in Indore over a Santa Claus costume. Workers deserve respect, not humiliation. We urge #Zomato to ensure cultural sensitivity & protect workers’ dignity. #RespectDeliveryWorkers
Press Note 👇https://t.co/uctYE6oc9k pic.twitter.com/7uMZhvpSah
— Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (@TGPWU) December 26, 2024
The union has called for greater cultural sensitivity from employers and companies, urging them to ensure that promotional initiatives do not put workers in positions where they face cultural or religious backlash. All workers, regardless of their attire or role, deserve respect and protection from harassment.
TGPWU also stressed the importance of companies providing adequate support, including clear communication, training, and grievance redressal mechanisms, to prevent such incidents.
The union has called on Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal to address the incident and ensure that delivery workers are not subjected to similar challenges in the future. While festive marketing campaigns can be effective, the union highlighted that they should not come at the cost of workers’ dignity, safety, or comfort.
Shaik Salauddin, Founder President of TGPWU, expressed solidarity with the delivery worker, stating, “Gig and platform workers deserve respect and support, not humiliation. We urge companies like Zomato to review their policies and ensure that workers are protected from such incidents.”
