Many people in India rely on online platforms like Swiggy, Zomato, Zepto, Blinkit, Amazon, and Flipkart for food and grocery deliveries. However, if you’re planning to order online in the coming days, you might want to think twice.
Recently, delivery and gig workers associated with the country’s major e-commerce and food delivery platforms have announced a nationwide strike. The action is scheduled for December 25 (Christmas) and December 31 (New Year’s Eve), 2025—two of the busiest days for these services.
The strike has been called by the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT) and the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU). The workers are protesting deteriorating working conditions, including low and declining wages, long working hours, lack of job security, inadequate safety measures, and absence of social security benefits.
Key demands include:
- Fair and transparent pay structures
- Withdrawal of risky “10-minute delivery” models
- Better safety gear and accident insurance
- An end to arbitrary account suspensions
- Guaranteed social security, such as health insurance and pensions
The unions argue that despite powering the gig economy, especially during peak festive periods, workers face exploitation with limited earnings and high risks.
The Christmas strike on December 25 already caused disruptions in several cities, and similar or greater impacts are expected on New Year’s Eve.
Nationwide Strike by Gig Workers to Disrupt Deliveries on New Year’s Eve
