'End 10-min delivery': Gig workers launch nationwide strike against low pay, safety concerns on New Year's Eve

Gig and platform workers stayed off delivery and ride-hailing apps on Wednesday as they observed a nationwide strike against platform companies. Workers across food delivery, quick commerce and ride-hailing platforms said falling pay, long hours, safety risks and arbitrary ID blocking were the main reasons behind the protest.

Sushil, a delivery worker who has worked with Zomato and other platforms since 2019, said many workers did not log in during the day as part of the strike. He added that earnings have dropped sharply over the years.

“Earlier, a full-time worker could earn Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,000 a day. Today, after petrol, food and maintenance, you are left with Rs 700 or Rs 800.”

He also pointed to safety issues.

“Fast delivery creates pressure. There have been cases where delivery boys have died, but the company does not give any support,” he said.

Nearly 40,000 delivery workers across India participated in a nationwide flash strike on December 25, 2025, reportedly causing 50-60 per cent service disruptions in many cities.

Sushil says, “Zomato has blocked his ID after he took part in the protest.”

Similar concerns were raised by Sugam, a student at Delhi University and part-time gig worker who uses Rapido, Zomato and Swiggy. “These companies say work hours are flexible, but that is not true,” he said. “If you leave your shift or slow down, you are penalised.” Sugam said he earns around Rs 7 to Rs 7.5 per km on ride-hailing apps.

“After vehicle rent, petrol and daily platform charges, there is no money left,” he said.

Workers also said there is no proper grievance system. “No one listens. You either work or leave,” Sushil said. Sugam added that platforms call workers ‘partners’ but do not take responsibility. “If there is an accident, first you are penalised for not completing the order,” he said.

Gig and Platform Service Workers Union has submitted a memorandum to the Union labour ministry, which notes that workers remain excluded from basic labour protections. The Union has demanded minimum per-kilometre rates, an end to 10–20 minute delivery targets, limits on deductions, protection against ID blocking and legal recognition of platform workers as workers under labour laws.

While some workers could afford to stay offline, many continued to work out of fear. “People are scared their IDs will be banned,” Sugam said. “They don’t have the luxury to protest.”

Under the new labour codes, that came into force in India in November 2025, gig and platform workers have been formally recognised in law for the first time and brought under a social-security framework.

The Code on Social Security, 2020 defines key terms like ‘gig worker’, ‘platform worker’ and ‘aggregator’, which were not covered under previous labour laws.

Aggregators such as food delivery and ride-hailing apps are now required to contribute 1 – 2 per cent of their annual turnover (capped at 5 per cent of payments to workers) into a Social Security Fund, which finances welfare schemes for workers on matters like accident insurance, health and maternity benefits, disability cover and old-age protection.

However, workers said they have not seen any real change from the new labour codes on the ground as of now. “Inflation is rising, but pay keeps falling,” Sugam said.

Amid the call for strike, food delivery platforms Zomato and Swiggy offered more incentives to their delivery partners, a standard practice they follow during festive periods, to ensure minimal disruptions in services on New Year's Eve.