Gig Workers in India Plan December 31 Strike, Delivery Disruptions Likely

Gig and platform delivery workers across India have announced plans for a nationwide strike on December 31, 2025, a move that could significantly disrupt food, grocery, and e-commerce deliveries during one of the busiest times of the year. The protest follows a similar action on Christmas Day and reflects deepening dissatisfaction among delivery partners over pay, safety, and working conditions.

Organised by unions such as the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU) and the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT), with backing from regional worker collectives in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Delhi-NCR, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, the strike is expected to draw participation from tens of thousands of riders associated with major platforms including Zomato, Swiggy, Blinkit, Zepto, Amazon and Flipkart.

Delivery workers have cited a range of grievances in announcing the December 31 protest:

• Falling incomes and unpredictable earnings, with many workers arguing that incentive structures and pay rates do not keep pace with rising costs and actual work effort.
• Unsafe work demands, such as ultra-fast delivery models (including 10-minute-delivery promises), which critics say endanger worker safety on busy roads.
• Lack of labour protections, social security and transparent grievance mechanisms, with unions calling for accident insurance, health coverage, pension benefits and the right to collective bargaining.
• Algorithmic control and arbitrary penalties, including sudden account suspension without clear appeal processes, which workers argue undermines their ability to earn a stable income.

Union leaders have described the upcoming action as a “collective call for justice, dignity and accountability,” urging both government authorities and platform companies to address what they characterise as systemic issues in the gig economy.

Industry responses so far have been limited or preparatory, with some platforms reportedly encouraging customers to place orders early and offering special deals to offset potential logistical disruptions.