Digital Team
Delivery workers linked to Swiggy and Zomato and other apps are bracing for a nationwide strike on December 31, raising protests and concerns about low pay, unsafe delivery targets and social security. The planned strike comes just weeks after it was first brought up in Parliament by AAP MP Raghav Chadha, bringing greater scrutiny in India’s fast-growing gig economy, following a coordinated strike on December 25. Unions say, without some intervention from platforms or governments, New Year’s Eve deliveries could risk disruptions around metros and tier-2 cities.
After December 25 Walkout, Strike Escalates
Delivery workers associated with Swiggy, Zomato, Zepto, Blinkit, Amazon and Flipkart left their apps and staged bike protests in several states.
What happened on Christmas Day
Unions estimate there are approximately 40,000 delivery partners who participated at a national level. Partial disruption reported in Delhi NCR, Gurugram, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Patna, and Pune reported 50–60%. Food delivery delays between food delivery times stretched from 90 minutes to upwards of two hours, in some locations. A few restaurants said platform orders had plummeted. Though services stabilised later in the day, unions called the protest a “warning strike” and laid groundwork for a more sweeping shutdown on December 31.
Parliament Raised The Same Matters Weeks Ahead Of A Strike
The strike comes in the midst of the intervention of Raghav Chadha in the Rajya Sabha at the Winter Session earlier this month, where he raised concerns over conditions on gig and delivery workers. Speaking to Parliament on December 5–6, Chadha described delivery riders as the “invisible wheels of the Indian economy” and warned that delivery models requiring 10 minutes were putting workers at risk, particularly in extreme weather and traffic.
He insisted on:
- An end to ultra-fast delivery timelines once and for all
- A regulated working period – instead of 12-16 hours a day
- Fair, transparent wages
- Accident coverage and pension and health insurance
Chadha did not mention the December 25–31 strike as it was declared later, but the unions are saying the speech in parliament reflected the same frustrations that are pushing workers into the streets.
Why Gig Workers Have Been Declaring They’re at Breaking Point
The protest, according to the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU) and Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT), is a result of rising pressure felt by last-mile delivery workers. “As the backbone of app-based delivery, employees are being required to suffer declining earnings, unsafe delivery targets, arbitrary blocking of ID numbers and lack of social security” said Shaik Salauddin, founder-president of TGPWU.
Core grievances:
- Decreasing and erratic income controlled by opaque algorithms
- Unstable delivery targets, especially 10-minute delivery promises
- Arbitrary account deactivations without investigation or appeal
- Lack of social security such as a combination of insurance and pension
- Few grievance redressal and technical support
December 31 Strike Still On, Unions Say
Unions confirm that December 31 national strike call is unchanged, describing it as the result of an escalation after the Christmas Day demonstration. Platform companies have not made significant concessions on all essential demands. Companies are making contingency plans with third-party fulfillment fleets, temporary benefits and the re-activation of dead delivery IDs, industry sources say. Unions, however, have also appealed to customers to support the protest by not placing app orders on December 31, warning that potential delays and cancellations could be made.
What Workers Are Demanding
The following are among the demands in the union charters:
- Fair, comparable earnings plans that include transparent per-order rates
- Pulling back on 10 minute and ultra fast delivery options
- Required rest periods and regulated working hours
- No to arbitrary ID denial and penalties
- Good grievance redressal mechanisms
- Social security benefits, such as health insurance, accident cover and pensions
- Government regulation at labour law of platform companies
Effects on Customers, Restaurants and Platforms
For customers:
- Probable delivery delays on New Year’s Eve
- Decreased ridership during peak hours
For restaurants:
- Decreased order volumes and uncertainty in operation
- Reliance on in-house or third party delivery arrangements
For platforms:
- Increasing regulatory and political scrutiny
- Investor concerns about the persistent labour unrest
Street-level protests and parliamentary attention are likely both to add pressure on companies and governments to enact protections for gig workers, market watchers note.
Why This Strike Matters
The Swiggy–Zomato gig workers strike represents one of the most coordinated challenges yet to the India-based app-based delivery model. Grievances now ringing out on streets and in Parliament, the fight have evolved from an isolated demonstration by workers to a larger dispute on the future of gig work. Unless an established agreement on the wage system, safety standards and social protection comes to light, the unions warn that such disruptions — especially during times of high demand — are not unlikely.
FAQs
Q: Why are Swiggy and Zomato workers striking on December 31?
A: Workers are protesting low wages, unsafe delivery targets, arbitrary account bans, and lack of social security.
Q: Will food delivery be affected on New Year’s Eve?
A: Yes, unions warn of delays and reduced availability in major cities if the strike continues.
Q: What is the issue with 10-minute delivery models?
A: Workers say ultra-fast delivery targets increase accident risks and force unsafe driving.
Q: Who is leading the nationwide gig workers strike?
A: TGPWU and IFAT, supported by local gig worker collectives across states.
Q: Has the government responded to gig workers’ demands?
A: While labour codes exist, unions say enforcement and regulation remain weak.
References:
https://www.newsclick.in/gig-workers-delivery-partners-strike-christmas-day-work-affected-7-states
