In a significant move highlighting growing unrest in India's gig economy, delivery workers associated with major platforms have announced a two-day strike. The industrial action is scheduled for December 25 and December 31, 2025, and is centered on demands for equitable compensation and improved working conditions.
Unions Lead the Charge for Worker Rights
The strike is being organized by two prominent workers' unions. The Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU) and the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT) are spearheading the protest. These organizations represent a large section of the delivery workforce that powers popular food and grocery delivery apps across the country.
Their primary demands are clear and twofold. First, they are calling for a revision in the pay structure to ensure fair wages that reflect the hours worked and distances covered. Second, they are demanding that companies provide better safety equipment, a critical need given the risks associated with navigating traffic and working in all weather conditions.
Platforms in the Spotlight
The strike action directly impacts some of India's most prominent quick-commerce and food delivery giants. Workers from platforms including Zomato, Swiggy, Blinkit, Zepto, Amazon, and Flipkart are expected to participate. This coordinated effort across multiple companies underscores the widespread nature of the grievances within the gig worker community.
By choosing dates like December 25 and 31, which typically see high order volumes due to the holiday season, the unions aim to maximize the impact of their protest. The strategy is to draw urgent attention from both the companies and the public to their plight.
Implications and the Road Ahead
The planned strike could lead to significant disruptions in delivery services during a peak period. Customers in major metropolitan areas and beyond may experience delays or a lack of available delivery agents. This action brings the ongoing debate over the rights and welfare of gig workers in India back into sharp focus.
The core issue revolves around the classification and protection of app-based workers. While these platforms offer flexible earning opportunities, workers often highlight the lack of job security, inconsistent earnings, and the absence of traditional employment benefits like insurance and paid leave. The demand for safety equipment adds a crucial dimension, pointing to the physical risks of the job.
This strike represents a collective and organized push from the workforce to negotiate for a more sustainable and respectful working model. The response from the implicated companies and potential intervention from policymakers will be closely watched as the strike dates approach.
