Blinkit is endangering the gig economy

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Editor's note: With the Blinkit versus delivery partners conflict entering its second week, the standoff is shaping up to be one of the most significant ever in India’s gig economy.  So far, Blinkit hasn’t said a word or initiated negotiations with the striking delivery partners. Rather, of the over 400 dark stores it has across India, it has shut down more than 100 in the Delhi National Capital Region—its most significant market. Just in Gurugram, 29 of the 31 dark stores have closed shop. The App Workers’ Union, a union of platform workers, has been busy trying to bring the delivery partners in NCR together for coordinated protests until their demands are met. Effigies in Blinkit T-shirts are being burnt in parts of Delhi, while some areas are seeing riders roaming around wearing black bands. Meanwhile, a local Bharatiya Janata Party leader has written to the deputy labour commissioner of Gurugram against the imposition of the revised payout structure. Delivery partners burn Blinkit’s effigy in North Delhi’s Rana Pratap Bagh on Saturday On the internet, Blinkit is attempting to build a narrative, …