A nationwide strike by platform-based gig workers has entered its final and most critical phase, with delivery partners across India extending their protest until 31 December 2025.
Organised by the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT) and the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU), the strike involves nearly one lakh workers from major platforms including Zomato, Swiggy, Zepto, Blinkit, and Amazon.
The protestors are demanding immediate government intervention for fair wages, legal recognition as workers, and the withdrawal of ultra-fast 10 to 20 minute delivery mandates. As New Year’s Eve celebrations reach their peak, the strike has already caused up to 60 per cent service disruptions in major urban hubs.
India Gig Workers Strike
The crux of the current unrest lies in the increasing pressure of quick-commerce models that guarantee deliveries within minutes.
Union leaders argue that these ultra-fast mandates force riders to navigate traffic at high speeds, directly compromising their safety and violating provisions of the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020.
While the platforms continue to grow rapidly, workers face deteriorating conditions such as falling incomes, excessive working hours, and arbitrary “ID blocking” without due process.
The unions maintain that unchecked algorithmic control has pushed nearly one crore platform workers into deep economic insecurity, shifting all operational risks onto the individuals while companies prioritise marketing appeal over human lives.
Voices from the Ground
According to Shaik Salauddin, National General Secretary of IFAT, the Christmas Day strike was merely a “trailer” for the larger action planned for the year-end. Workers are demanding a transparent wage structure that accounts for rising fuel costs and vehicle maintenance, which they currently pay out of pocket.
In a statement, General Secretary Salauddin emphasised that the gig economy cannot be built on “broken bodies and silenced voices.” Meanwhile, the US Embassy in Peru confirmed that foreign tourists were among those affected by the logistical shutdown.
Although major platforms like Swiggy and Zomato have largely refused to comment on the strike, market analysts noted a 2 per cent drop in their share prices following the initial walkout on 25 December.
Why Gig Workers are On Strike
The primary catalyst for this nationwide strike is the severe deterioration of working conditions within the digital economy. Workers highlight a dangerous reliance on opaque algorithms that dictate every aspect of their livelihoods, from pay rates to delivery routes, often without human oversight.
Many partners report that while the platforms have grown exponentially, their real earnings have plummeted due to high commissions and rising fuel costs.
Additionally, the widespread practice of arbitrary “ID blocking”, where a worker is barred from the app without a fair appeals process, has left thousands without their only source of income, fostering deep economic insecurity.
Key Demands of the Strike
The protestors, led by unions like IFAT and GIPSWU, have presented a clear charter of demands to the Union Labour Ministry. A central requirement is the immediate withdrawal of ultra-fast 10 and 20-minute delivery mandates, which workers argue force them to risk their lives on congested roads.
They are also seeking a minimum wage of ₹20 per kilometre and a guaranteed monthly income of ₹40,000 to ensure a dignified life.
Further demands include legal recognition as formal “workers” under labour laws, comprehensive social security including health insurance and accident coverage, and the replacement of AI bots with 24/7 human customer support.
Impact on New Year’s Eve
Coinciding with the year’s highest period of consumer demand, the strike is expected to cause unprecedented disruptions to food and grocery delivery services.
With nearly 1.5 lakh workers across major hubs like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad logging off, services such as Zomato, Swiggy, and Zepto may face order backlogs or total service suspensions.
Preliminary protests on Christmas Day already led to a 60 per cent disruption in several cities, and the New Year’s Eve “App Bandh” is likely to be even more significant. Consumers have been advised to plan their celebrations early as delivery timelines for food, medicine, and groceries remain highly uncertain.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The invisible backbone of our digital economy, the delivery workers, are often treated as mere extensions of an algorithm rather than human beings with families and basic rights. Speed and convenience for the consumer should never come at the cost of a worker’s life or dignity.
We believe that true progress is only achieved when the fruits of technology are shared ethically with those on the front lines. It is high time for a constructive tripartite dialogue between the government, platform companies, and worker unions to ensure fair pay and safe working conditions.
