Press Release
Dunzo fails to provide formal response to the legal notice but assures to take action against the threatening message to its workers
Mumbai | 8th September 2022: On 18th July 2022, a Dunzo delivery worker reported receiving a threatening message from ‘Team Dunzo’, which warned its ‘partners’ against joining any strike. The message threatened that if any of its ‘partners’ joined the strike, the company would permanently suspend the delivery partner from work. The message reads as under:
“Dear Dunzo Partner, WARNING !!!. Aapko soochit kiya jaata hai ki, STRIKE me paayi gayi ID permanently SUSPEND ki jaati hai!!! To kripaya STRIKE ka hissa na baneya naa he kissi STRIKE ko support kare. For more details please find the below link Tinyurl.com/dunzoapp. Stay Safe, Team Dunzo.”
It is noteworthy that the right to strike is a legal right as long as it does not violate the Industrial Dispute Act, 1947. Similarly, the right to protest against any violation/wrongdoing, to raise demands for rights in a peaceful gathering etc is also guaranteed as a fundamental right under the Constitution of India. Sending such intimidatory messages is accordingly unconstitutional and illegal.
In light of the same, we, Kamgar Sanrakshan Sammaan Sangh (KSSS) – a trade union representing workers – publicly raised the issue with Dunzo. KSSS also addressed a legal notice to Dunzo on 1st August 2022 in respect of the threatening messages addressed by Dunzo to its workers. Responding to the same, Dunzo has addressed a message to us on 5th September 2022 stating that:
“We are writing to you regarding your legal notice dated August 1, 2022. At the very outset, the averments contained in the legal notice are denied for want of specific traverse. Dunzo recognises and understands that our delivery partners are integral to Dunzo’s business and remain committed to their welfare. As independent contractors on our platform, our delivery partners are always free to determine their own working hours and Dunzo does not force our partners to work without their explicit consent. As stated in our earlier responses, we are presently in the process of investigating the communication that was sent out and rest assured, we are committed to taking the necessary steps should we discover any wrongdoing.”
While Dunzo has not denied sending out the communication, it has failed to provide any explanation on the same to date and has only stated that it is in the process of investigating the communication. The Kamgar Sanrakshan Sammaan Sangh is closely following up on this matter and, at the same time, will continue keeping a watch in case the company tries to threaten its workers further.
Bilal Khan Akhilesh Rao Jameela B
(9958660556)
