Kunal Kamra, Blinkit CEO Albinder dhindsa lock horns over unfair wages

Kamra posted on X that owners of e-commerce platforms exploit gig workers and aren’t job creators. They don’t have a bone of creativity or innovation all they do is exploit people

Hyderabad: Kunal Kamra, the stand-up comedian, who is known to kick up controversies like the one with Ola last year, has now trained his guns on Blinkit CEO Albinder Dhindsa, soon after the new year was ushered in.

Soon after Dhindsa shared the Blinkit’s record-breaking statistics on the occasion of New Year, Kamra took to X to share his views on the darker side of owners of e-commerce platforms, who, he alleged, exploit gig workers with unfair wages and long working hours.

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Blinkit is a quick-commerce app promises 5-minute deliveries, reported its highest-ever orders in a single day, while Kamra is known for his comedy about absurdities of life includes jokes about politics, cabbies, bachelor life and TV advertisements.

Kamra’s post on X says the e-commerce giants simply exploit gig workers without paying them as per their aspirations.

While we enjoy the convenience of quick commerce I’d like my first tweet of 2025 to be about the dark side.

Platform owners exploit gig workers & they aren’t job creators.

They are landlords without owning any land.

They don’t have a bone of creativity or innovation all…

— Kunal Kamra (@kunalkamra88) December 31, 2024

His post garnered over 744K views.

While many have a different opinion than Kamra’s post, there are some who supported him.

Like, one of the users replied that e-commerce giants actually create jobs and put food on table. He called Kamra an armchair liberal.

Blinkit, Zepto, Zomato, Swiggy have the moral upper ground and support of silent majority.
They create jobs, literally put food on table.
OTOH, there are armchair liberals who strive to enforce equal poverty for all.
I have picked my righteous side.

— দৈনিক কালকেতু (@Dainik_Kalketu) January 1, 2025

Another objected it by saying, “Lol. Human life of 80% of this nation is all about putting food on table. One hospital bill away from poverty or in cases death. They are churning the money from this misery. Had these 80% enough skills and opportunities these billionaire would struggle to find delivery boys.

Lol. Human life of 80% of this nation is all about putting food on table. One hospital bill away from poverty or in cases death. They are churning the money from this misery. Had these 80% enough skills and opportunities these billionaire would struggle to find delivery boys.

— Vedic_jedi (@VedicJedi) January 1, 2025

A user who supported the commerce platform wrote, about the rising unemployment and government’s incapcity to do anything.

There’s no regulation because these gig jobs, such as they are, are about the only ones being created right now. There’s no employment growth in other sectors. Govt will do nothing to slow them down. Otherwise it faces mass unrest.

— Alok Tiwari (@wordsmith01) January 1, 2025

And got a reply, “what kind of regulations do you want? Also, what is this exploitation everyone seems to think is there? Do you think delivery guys are bonded slaves ?? Can you pls explain your stand?

what kind of regulations do you want?
Also what is this exploitation everyone seems to think is there? Do you think delivery guys are bonded slaves ?? Can you pls explain your stand?

— Siddharth Chanchani (@chanchani_sdrth) January 1, 2025

Blinkit has claimed that its delivery partners can earn up to Rs 50,000 per month, including incentives and benefits such as medical insurance. Also, workers have flexible shifts.

In 2024, Kunal Kamra was at loggerheads with Ola founder Bhavish Aggarwal over the after-sales service of Ola’s electric scooters.