Bhubaneswar, May 1: Battling severe physical disabilities and daily hardships, a group of differently-abled food delivery workers in the capital city continue to earn their livelihood with resilience and determination. From losing both legs to suffering spinal injuries, many of them rely on tricycles or wheelchairs to deliver food door to door, yet remain largely unrecognized under labour welfare frameworks.

These workers, employed by various food delivery platforms, fall under the gig economy. However, unlike traditional labourers, they are not registered under any government schemes and are excluded from benefits such as holidays on Labour Day. With no work meaning no income, survival often depends on their ability to stay on the move despite physical limitations.

For many, this work is not just a profession but a necessity. “Even if accidents or illness have left us physically impaired, we are still workers. But we are rarely acknowledged as such,” they say.

One such worker is Bishnu Prasad Mahakud, who lost both his legs in a train accident in 2010. Despite the life-altering incident, he continues to work as a delivery agent, riding a tricycle across the city. Supporting his wife and two school-going children, Mahakud says he has no option but to keep working. “If I don’t step out, how will my family survive? My children’s future depends on this,” he says.

The challenges intensify during extreme weather conditions. “We cannot take shelter like others. Even in the scorching heat, we have to wait outside restaurants on our vehicles for long periods,” says Vijay Mallik, a 36-year-old delivery worker suffering from muscular dystrophy. Originally from Jajpur and now residing in Bharatpur, Mallik struggles with limited mobility but continues working to sustain himself.

Similarly, Jatin Khatua, who lost the use of both his legs in a road accident in 2017, now depends on a tricycle for mobility. Undeterred by rain or heat, he spends 8 to 10 hours daily delivering food across the city. “What choice do we have? We must earn to survive,” he says.

Despite their determination, these workers continue to demand recognition and inclusion in welfare schemes, highlighting the need for policy intervention to support differently-abled individuals in the gig economy.