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New Delhi:
India’s fast-growing gig economy faced a major disruption on December 31, as delivery partners working with leading online platforms went on a nationwide strike just hours before New Year celebrations. The protest, organized by multiple gig worker unions, significantly affected food delivery, quick-commerce, and e-commerce services across several major cities.
Delivery staff associated with platforms such as Swiggy, Zomato, Amazon, Blinkit, Zepto and other app-based services either logged out of their apps or limited their availability throughout the day. As a result, customers in cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Chennai reported long delays, cancelled orders and service outages during one of the busiest delivery days of the year.
The strike was led by national and regional gig worker unions who said the decision to protest on New Year’s Eve was deliberate, aimed at drawing urgent attention to what they describe as worsening working conditions and shrinking earnings in the platform economy. Union leaders claimed that repeated appeals to companies had gone unanswered, forcing workers to take collective action.
What Are the Delivery Workers Demanding?
At the core of the protest are concerns over declining pay rates, unpredictable income and rising work pressure. Delivery partners allege that frequent changes in payment algorithms have reduced per-order earnings, even as fuel costs, vehicle maintenance and daily expenses continue to rise.
One of the most strongly voiced demands is the removal of ultra-fast delivery targets, such as 10-minute delivery commitments. Workers say these timelines encourage risky driving, increase accident chances and place unreasonable pressure on them to meet algorithm-driven performance metrics.
Unions are also demanding minimum earning guarantees, transparent payout systems, and an end to sudden account deactivations without warning or explanation. Many workers complain that being blocked by the app — sometimes due to customer complaints or technical glitches — can instantly cut off their only source of income.
Another major demand is social security coverage, including accident insurance, health benefits and basic worker protections. Gig workers argue that while platforms label them as “partners,” they are excluded from benefits enjoyed by formal employees, despite working long hours under strict digital supervision.
Impact on New Year Services
The timing of the strike caused noticeable disruption across India, as New Year’s Eve traditionally sees a sharp spike in food orders, party supplies and last-minute shopping. Several customers took to social media to share screenshots of unavailable delivery slots, delayed orders and surge pricing.
In response, some platforms attempted to manage operations by offering temporary incentives and higher payouts to available delivery partners. However, unions claimed that these short-term measures fail to address deeper structural issues within the gig economy.
Public Reaction and Wider Debate
Public response to the strike was mixed. While many users expressed frustration over disrupted celebrations, a large number of people voiced support for delivery workers, calling their demands reasonable and overdue. The strike has reignited a nationwide debate over the future of gig work in India and whether existing labour laws adequately protect app-based workers.
Experts say the protest highlights a growing tension between rapid platform expansion and worker welfare. With millions of Indians now dependent on gig work for livelihood, pressure is mounting on companies and policymakers to introduce clearer regulations and long-term protections.
As India steps into the New Year, the delivery workers’ strike has sent a strong message that the backbone of the digital economy is demanding recognition, dignity and fairness.
