Gig Workers Announce Nationwide Strike on December 31

Millions of Indians relying on quick deliveries may face disruptions this New Year’s Eve, as gig workers from food, quick-commerce, and e-commerce platforms plan a nationwide “App Bandh” on December 31.

Led by the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT) and allied unions, delivery partners from platforms like Blinkit, Zepto, Swiggy, Zomato, Amazon, and Flipkart are protesting against the controversial 10-minute delivery model. They argue that the model endangers lives by pushing workers to ride recklessly to meet tight deadlines.

Pressure and Safety Concerns Highlighted

“Fast delivery creates immense pressure, compromising road safety. Delivery agents bear penalties even for delays caused by restaurants or customers,” said IFAT President Prashant Sawardekar. Workers also fear arbitrary ID blocks and blacklisting, which discourage participation despite widespread support for the strike.

Demands of Gig Workers

The striking workers have put forward multiple demands, including:

• A complete ban on ultra-fast delivery models

• Transparent wages and elimination of unfair penalties

• Social security benefits and accident insurance

• Recognition under labour laws

A similar strike on Christmas Day caused significant delays in parts of Gurugram and Delhi, signalling the potential impact of the upcoming protest.

Potential Impact on Peak-Day Deliveries

December 31 is one of the busiest days for deliveries, and the strike is expected to disrupt food outlets, quick commerce, and e-commerce operations, particularly in metropolitan cities like Bengaluru.

Unions have urged government intervention, emphasizing that platform profits should not come at the cost of workers’ dignity and safety.

Gig Economy Faces Call for Regulation

As India’s gig economy continues to expand, the strike underscores the urgent need for balanced regulations that protect the workers driving the country’s convenience revolution. The protest is expected to reignite debates around labour rights, safety standards, and fair compensation in the rapidly growing app-based delivery sector.