Gig Workers At Zepto, Blinkit, Swiggy, Amazon And Flipkart Go On New Year’s Eve Strike; Union Leader Lists 5 Key Demands
As the clock ticks toward New Year’s Eve celebrations, a major disruption may hit India’s fast-paced delivery ecosystem. On December 31, gig workers associated with leading quick-commerce and delivery platforms such as Zepto, Blinkit, Swiggy, Amazon and Flipkart have announced a nationwide strike, potentially affecting last-minute food and grocery orders across several cities.
New Year’s Eve is traditionally a peak day for delivery apps, with many households relying on quick deliveries instead of stepping out. This year, however, customers may need backup plans as thousands of delivery partners prepare to log off in protest.
Who Is Leading The Strike?
The strike is being led by the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU) and the Indian Federation of App Based Transport Workers (IFAT). Several regional unions have extended support, with workers from Maharashtra, Karnataka, Delhi-NCR, West Bengal and parts of Tamil Nadu also joining the protest.
Why Are Gig Workers Protesting?
According to the unions, delivery partners who form the backbone of India’s digital commerce boom are being pushed to work longer hours for shrinking pay, with limited safety, dignity and job security.
Speaking to The Economic Times, Shaik Salauddin, founder-president of TGPWU, said unions expect participation from nearly 100,000 to 150,000 riders on New Year’s Eve. While speaking to ANI, he noted that a phased protest began on December 25, when around 40,000 workers joined in, delaying 50–60 per cent of orders. He added that “what happened on December 25 was just the trailer; the real picture will be seen on December 31.”
Five Key Demands At The Core
Union leaders say the timing of the strike is intentional, as demand for quick deliveries continues to surge while working conditions decline.
“People can see that we have been continuously raising our demands with platform companies. We have placed five key demands before them. Our first demand is that the old payout structure should be restored. Earlier, during festivals such as Dussehra, Diwali, and Bakrid, fair payments were made. That system must be implemented again regularly,” Salauddin said.
Another major demand is the removal of the 10-minute delivery model across platforms. According to unions, the model places extreme pressure on riders and increases safety risks. “Our third demand is regarding ID blocking. Platforms are blocking IDs without any mechanism or transparency. Workers are not even informed why their IDs are blocked,” he said.
Salauddin also flagged concerns over algorithm-based controls, claiming they have reduced earnings and created confusion around incentives. “The algorithm controls workers' businesses. Incentives are not being paid properly, and there is no clarity. We also want a proper grievance redressal mechanism and social security benefits,” he added.
What This Means For Customers
With large-scale participation expected, delivery delays or service disruptions are likely in several regions on December 31. As celebrations peak, the strike could spotlight the growing tension between platform-driven convenience and the realities faced by gig workers powering India’s on-demand economy.
New Year’s Eve is traditionally a peak day for delivery apps, with many households relying on quick deliveries instead of stepping out. This year, however, customers may need backup plans as thousands of delivery partners prepare to log off in protest.
Who Is Leading The Strike?
The strike is being led by the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU) and the Indian Federation of App Based Transport Workers (IFAT). Several regional unions have extended support, with workers from Maharashtra, Karnataka, Delhi-NCR, West Bengal and parts of Tamil Nadu also joining the protest.
Why Are Gig Workers Protesting?
According to the unions, delivery partners who form the backbone of India’s digital commerce boom are being pushed to work longer hours for shrinking pay, with limited safety, dignity and job security.
Speaking to The Economic Times, Shaik Salauddin, founder-president of TGPWU, said unions expect participation from nearly 100,000 to 150,000 riders on New Year’s Eve. While speaking to ANI, he noted that a phased protest began on December 25, when around 40,000 workers joined in, delaying 50–60 per cent of orders. He added that “what happened on December 25 was just the trailer; the real picture will be seen on December 31.”
Five Key Demands At The Core
Union leaders say the timing of the strike is intentional, as demand for quick deliveries continues to surge while working conditions decline.
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“People can see that we have been continuously raising our demands with platform companies. We have placed five key demands before them. Our first demand is that the old payout structure should be restored. Earlier, during festivals such as Dussehra, Diwali, and Bakrid, fair payments were made. That system must be implemented again regularly,” Salauddin said.
Another major demand is the removal of the 10-minute delivery model across platforms. According to unions, the model places extreme pressure on riders and increases safety risks. “Our third demand is regarding ID blocking. Platforms are blocking IDs without any mechanism or transparency. Workers are not even informed why their IDs are blocked,” he said.
Salauddin also flagged concerns over algorithm-based controls, claiming they have reduced earnings and created confusion around incentives. “The algorithm controls workers' businesses. Incentives are not being paid properly, and there is no clarity. We also want a proper grievance redressal mechanism and social security benefits,” he added.
What This Means For Customers
With large-scale participation expected, delivery delays or service disruptions are likely in several regions on December 31. As celebrations peak, the strike could spotlight the growing tension between platform-driven convenience and the realities faced by gig workers powering India’s on-demand economy.
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