Socio-economic Status and Occupational Hazards of Delivery Agents in the Urban Gig Economy: A Study from Uttarakhand

The increasing reliance on delivery services in urban India has brought to light the precarious conditions faced by delivery agents, especially those working under informal gig economy arrangements. This study was conducted among 200 delivery agents from Haldwani and Rudrapur in Uttarakhand, aimed to examine their socio-economic status using the Kuppuswamy Scale and assessment of their exposure to various occupational hazards. Data was gathered through structured questionnaires, capturing experiences related to mechanical, physical, biological, environmental, accidental and psychological risks. The majority of participants were found to be in the “Upper Lower, 48 per cent” and “Lower Middle, 32 per cent” socio-economic classes, reflecting broader national patterns of economic instability among gig workers. Universally, respondents reported repetitive tasks and physical strain, with high levels of exposure to extreme weather, slips, cuts and stress-related fatigue. Psychological stress was evident, with 82 per cent reporting long working hours and 88.5 per cent experiencing fatigue, while half reported facing violence during delivery. These findings point to the urgent need for systemic interventions including safety training, social security, and improved working conditions to protect the health and dignity of this essential yet vulnerable segment of the urban workforce.