A Pandemic of Discontent: The Growing Woes of Indiaâs Food Delivery Workers Swiggyâs moves to deal with financial losses and COVID-19 have sparked protests by its delivery boys, who have been dealt a raw deal and seen their wages decrease. Photo: PTI Tech22/Dec/2020 On March 24, after India first locked down to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, Raj , a 27-year-old food deliveryman for Swiggy in Surat, stayed home for two days. Heâd heard the police were stopping his co-workers and seizing their bikes. Rajâs boss called. Donât worry, Iâll speak to the police if thereâs trouble, Raj recalled him saying.