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News India Live, Digital Desk: Dark stores: If you also get goods at home in a few minutes from an app like Blinkit, Zepto or Swiggy Instamart, then this news is very important for you. You will wonder how the goods reach so soon? There is a ‘dark secret’ hidden behind it called ‘Dark Store’.
So what are these ‘dark stores’ and how do they work so fast?
Actually, ‘Dark Stores’ are not common shops in your neighborhood. These are small warehouses or warehouses that are made only for delivery of online orders. In these, customers cannot go directly and shop. These occur in strategic places, such as near a residential area.
As soon as you order on the app, this order directly reaches the dark store that is closest to you. The employees present there immediately pack the goods and give the delivery partner waiting outside. These delivery partners deliver the goods to your house without stopping for a single moment – similarly the promise of delivery of 10 or 20 minutes is fulfilled.
But a ‘black truth’ is hidden behind ‘fast delivery’!
This fast as much as the customers attract, they also bring these companies and their business models under the question. Nowadays, they are being discussed not only for speed, but for the ‘dark secret’ or bitter truth hidden behind it.
What are they ‘dark secrets’?
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Strong pressure on worker: The entire emphasis of these companies is on delivery in the shortest time. All its pressure comes directly on the delivery partner. They are expected to run so fast that they do not even get a chance to rest, or breathe properly. Fear of penalty is different if the target is not met.
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Danger of accidents: In the race to deliver goods in 10-20 minutes, delivery partners often drive fast, which increases the risk of road accidents greatly. Many reports have mentioned such tragic accidents.
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Not an employee, ‘GEG worker’: These companies do not consider these delivery partners as their permanent employee, but calls ‘gig workers’. This means that they do not get any benefit from the benefits of the employees, such as monthly salary, leave, insurance, provident fund or health facilities. Their earnings depend only on every delivery.
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long working hours: Delivery partners have to work for 12 to 14 hours a day so that they can earn a little bit.
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Moving towards monopoly: Critics believe that this model of ‘Dark Store’ will help the online delivery companies to capture the entire market in a way, which can gradually eliminate the business of small shops or grocery stores.
Overall, behind the ‘instant delivery’ to customers, the delivery partners’ hard work, pressure and an entire network of an uncertain future is working. It is not just a matter of facilities, but has become a major debate about Gig economy and employee rights.
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