Delivery work in Baqubah pays more than a public salary

DIYALA — Delivery riders in Baqubah can earn 50,000 to 60,000 dinars a day, around $33 to $39, as online shopping expands in the city — roughly 1.3 to 1.5 million dinars a month for someone working six days a week, above what many public employees are paid.

More than 12,000 parcels enter the city each day, according to estimates cited in a study of online shopping in Baqubah by master’s student Jawad Kadhim, who told 964media that residents of the Muallimeen, Tahrir, Jihad, Faris and Mustafa neighbourhoods and the city centre were the most frequent users, with people aged 30 to 39 the largest group, particularly employees, workers and others on fixed incomes.

There are about 28 delivery offices in the city centre. Saad Mohammed, who owns an express delivery company with 28 riders, put the combined daily total at 12,000 to 13,000 parcels and said customers care most about speed, accuracy and security. His fees are about 2,000 dinars within Baqubah and to Balad Ruz and Khalis, 2,500 to Khanaqin and up to 4,000 to Qara Tapa and Adhaim.

Cosmetics and clothing, particularly orders placed by women, make up the largest share of what he carries, said rider Mohammed Ibrahim, followed by car parts and hand tools.

The work has given young people jobs, Ibrahim said, with earnings depending on the number of orders.