Delivery and gig workers associated with major platforms like Swiggy, Zomato, Zepto, Blinkit, Amazon, and Flipkart are observing a nationwide strike on December 31.
The protest highlights worsening working conditions and the denial of fair pay, safety, dignity, and social security for gig workers.
Despite being crucial for last-mile delivery, especially during festivals and peak seasons, workers face long hours, declining earnings, unsafe delivery targets, arbitrary blocking of work IDs, lack of job security, and no basic welfare protections, according to the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU) and the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT).
Key Demands of Gig Workers
The strike focuses on several urgent demands:
Fair and transparent wages with clearly defined pay structures.
End to “10-minute delivery” models, which push workers into unsafe conditions.
No arbitrary ID blocking or financial penalties without due process.
Better safety measures, including proper safety gear.
Regular and fair allocation of work, free from algorithm-driven discrimination.
Respect and dignity at work, including humane treatment by platforms and customers.
Mandatory rest breaks and reasonable working hours.
Stronger grievance redressal mechanisms for payment or routing issues.
Job security and social security benefits, such as health insurance, accident coverage, and pension schemes.
Call for Government Intervention
Gig workers are also urging central and state governments to step in and regulate digital labor platforms.
Shaik Salauddin, Founder of TGPWU, said:
“Delivery workers are being pushed to breaking point by unsafe work models, falling incomes, and total absence of social protection.
This strike is a collective call for justice, dignity, and accountability.
The government can no longer remain a silent spectator while platform companies profit at the cost of workers’ lives.”
This strike underscores the growing tension between gig workers and platform companies, highlighting the urgent need for fair regulations, worker protections, and social security measures in India’s booming digital labor sector.
