Delivery services across India are likely to be affected on New Year’s Eve, December 31, as gig workers from major food and quick commerce platforms have announced a nationwide strike. This will be the second all-India strike by gig and platform workers within a week. The first strike took place on Christmas Day, December 25.

Delivery partners working with popular platforms such as Zomato, Swiggy, Blinkit, Zepto and Flipkart-owned BigBasket are expected to participate in the protest. The strike has been called by the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT) and comes at a time when demand for food and grocery deliveries is usually very high due to year-end celebrations. Because of the strike, customers may face delays or disruptions in food and grocery deliveries, especially during peak hours on New Year’s Eve.

Why are gig workers protesting?

According to the workers’ union, delivery partners are unhappy with their working conditions and falling earnings. Many workers say that despite rising fuel prices and living costs, their real income has gone down.

One major concern is the 10–20 minute delivery targets set by companies. Workers say these strict timelines force them to rush through crowded roads, increasing the risk of accidents and putting their lives in danger. The union has asked the labour ministry to scrap these delivery targets to improve road safety.

Key demands of gig workers

Apart from safety issues, workers are demanding better income security. They have asked for a minimum payment per kilometre and a guaranteed monthly income of ₹24,000 so that gig work can provide a stable livelihood.

In a letter to the labour ministry, the union also demanded that delivery partners be legally recognised as ‘workers’ under labour laws instead of being treated as “partners”. This would allow them access to legal protections such as social security and labour rights.

Other demands raised by the workers include an end to sudden ID blocking, rating-based penalties and algorithm-driven decisions that affect their access to work. They also want the removal of peak-hour pressure, rigid time slots and weekend caps that limit their earning opportunities. 

On the financial front, the union has sought a cap of 20% on platform deductions, compensation for customer cancellations and fairer performance evaluation systems. Workers have also demanded longer delivery timelines to reduce safety risks and the replacement of AI-only grievance systems with round-the-clock human customer support. 

In addition, women gig workers have called for maternity benefits, emergency leave and stronger workplace safety measures. The union has urged the government to begin formal discussions under the Industrial Disputes Act, warning that continued neglect of workers’ concerns could harm the long-term stability of the gig economy.