Recent strikes by delivery personnel associated with major platforms like Swiggy, Zomato, and Zepto have thrust the pressing issues within India's gig economy into the national spotlight. The protests, centered on demands to ban aggressive 10-minute delivery services, underscore a growing call for fair treatment and improved working conditions for the millions who form the operational backbone of these companies.
The Rising Tide of Gig Work in India
Over the past decade, India has witnessed a dramatic expansion in its gig workforce, fueled by the rapid adoption of digital platforms. According to a NITI Aayog report, the number of gig and platform workers reached 7.7 million in 2020-21. This figure is projected to swell to a staggering 23.5 million by the year 2029-30. The scale is immense: in Q2 of 2025-26, Zomato averaged about 5.5 lakh monthly delivery partners, while Blinkit had approximately 3.39 lakh. Uber, back in 2023, already had over 1 million drivers on its platform in India.
While this growth has created significant non-farm employment, it has been accompanied by serious concerns over worker welfare, job security, and income stability. Common grievances include fluctuating and uncertain wages, a lack of transparency in pay structures, demanding long hours, and often unsafe working conditions. The recent strikes against 10-minute delivery services are a direct manifestation of these systemic issues, highlighting the urgent need for a careful and balanced way forward.
Government Steps and the Limits of Intervention
Recognizing the need for a framework, the Union government has taken legislative steps. The new labour codes have formally defined and recognized gig and platform workers. A key provision under the Code on Social Security mandates that aggregators contribute 1-2 per cent of their annual turnover to a social security fund designed to finance welfare schemes for these workers. This makes them eligible for government-notified benefits like accident insurance, and health and maternity coverage.
The codes also propose an expert committee under the National Social Security Board to advise on gig worker matters. However, experts suggest it may not be prudent for the government to micromanage operational specifics, such as delivery time standards. In a labour-abundant economy where formal non-farm jobs are still scarce, market forces heavily influence wage growth.
The Corporate Imperative: Listening to the Backbone
The onus, therefore, significantly falls on the companies themselves. It is imperative for platforms to acknowledge that gig workers are fundamental to their operations. While pursuing shareholder profits is a business necessity, it cannot come at the perpetual cost of worker well-being. Companies must actively listen to and address legitimate concerns.
Practical measures can include creating more transparent payment structures and reassessing service models that impose undue risk. The marginal utility gained by a customer from a slightly faster delivery may be negligible for a company's profits but can pose serious safety hazards and immense pressure on the delivery executive. A sustainable solution requires negotiation and a fair balance between corporate goals and worker dignity.
The strikes at Swiggy, Zomato, and Zepto are not just an isolated labour dispute but a signal from a vast and growing workforce. As India's gig economy marches towards 23.5 million workers, integrating their welfare into the business model is no longer optional—it is essential for long-term, equitable growth.
