Delivery and gig workers linked to major e-commerce, food delivery, and home service platforms such as Swiggy, Zomato, Zepto, Blinkit, Amazon, Flipkart, and other aggregator companies are observing an all-India strike on December 31.
The strike is being organized to protest worsening working conditions and the continued denial of fair pay, safety, dignity, and access to social security.
All-India Gig Workers’ Strike Highlights Demands for Fair Wages, Safety, and Social Security
Workers argue that even though they are essential to last-mile delivery, especially during peak seasons and festivals, they are subjected to long working hours, declining earnings, unsafe delivery expectations, arbitrary blocking of work IDs, lack of job stability, and no basic welfare protections.
As stated by the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU) and the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT): “Despite being the backbone of last-mile delivery, especially during peak seasons and festivals-delivery workers are forced to endure long working hours, falling earnings, unsafe delivery targets, arbitrary ID blocking, lack of job security, and absence of basic welfare protections.”
What Are The Demands?
One of the central demands of the workers is the introduction of a fair and transparent wage system that clearly defines pay structures.
The workers are also demanding the immediate removal of “10-minute delivery” models, which they believe promote unsafe and unrealistic working conditions.
They are calling for an end to arbitrary ID blocking and financial penalties that are imposed without any form of due process.
Improved safety measures are demanded, including the provision of proper safety gear for delivery workers.
Workers want assured and regular allocation of work, without discrimination driven by opaque algorithms.
They are seeking respect and dignity at work, including humane treatment by both platform companies and customers.
The demands include mandatory rest breaks and working hours that are reasonable and not physically or mentally exploitative.
Workers are asking for stronger app-based and technical support systems, particularly effective grievance redressal mechanisms for issues such as routing errors and payment failures.
They are demanding job security along with access to social security benefits, including health insurance, accident coverage, and pension schemes.
Gig Workers Call for Immediate Government Regulation of Digital Labor Platforms
In addition to platform-level changes, the workers are urging immediate intervention by both Central and State Governments to regulate digital labor platforms.
Shaik Salauddin, Founder and President of TGPWU, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating: “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.”
