Hyderabad: App-based transport and delivery services experienced a mild disruption in parts of Hyderabad and other urban areas in Telangana on Saturday, following a massive protest by over 1.5 lakh gig and platform workers. The workers participated in the #GlobalTotalSwitchOff protest against rising fuel prices, stagnant payouts, increasing vehicle expenses, and lack of labour protections.
Customers reported reduced driver availability, delayed deliveries, and longer waiting times in some areas after the large-scale protest involving cab drivers, auto drivers, food delivery workers, e-commerce delivery staff, and home-service workers.
"Delivery timings were slightly delayed, and cab availability was lower than usual in some areas on Friday evening and Saturday morning, but services were still functioning," said Rohit Kumar, an IT employee in Hyderabad who regularly uses app-based transport and food delivery services.
"Cab availability was lower, and food deliveries took longer than usual in some areas, especially during peak hours," added a customer in Hyderabad who uses multiple app-based services daily.
The protest was organized by the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU) as part of the international #GlobalTotalSwitchOff campaign, which demands labour rights and social security protections for platform workers. According to the union, workers across sectors participated in phased one-hour switch-offs during the day. Food delivery workers, ride-hailing drivers, e-commerce delivery executives, and home-service workers temporarily logged off app-based platforms to protest against rising fuel prices and stagnant earnings.
Shaik Salauddin, founder president of TGPWU, stated that hikes in petrol, diesel, CNG, and LPG prices have increased financial pressure on gig and platform workers. He noted that companies such as Ola, Uber, Rapido, Amazon, Swiggy, Zomato, Blinkit, and Zepto have not increased fares or delivery charges in proportion to rising operational costs.
Salauddin emphasized that cab and delivery workers spend long hours on the road waiting for rides and orders while managing fuel expenses, vehicle EMI payments, and household costs. The union also highlighted that electric vehicles remain unaffordable for many workers due to high purchase costs and inadequate subsidies from state and central governments.
The protest in Telangana coincided with a nationwide call by gig worker unions demanding a minimum payment of Rs 20 per km for delivery and transport workers after recent fuel price hikes increased operating expenses. Gig worker unions have also demanded recognition of platform workers under labour laws, social security measures, accident insurance coverage, fair fare systems, and transparent platform algorithms.
