Particle.news
Download on the App Store

India’s Gig Delivery Workers Launch Nationwide Strikes on Dec. 25 and 31

Unions seek government-set minimum rates with social security coverage for gig workers.

Overview

  • A statewide stoppage in Maharashtra on December 25 targets food deliveries, backing an ongoing Zomato protest in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar that began on December 22.
  • National actions for December 25 and December 31 have been announced by the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers and the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union.
  • Workers tied to Swiggy, Zomato, Zepto, Blinkit, Amazon and Flipkart say earnings have fallen and algorithm-driven targets compromise safety.
  • Key demands include transparent pay, withdrawal of 10-minute delivery models, safeguards against arbitrary deactivations, mandatory rest breaks, and access to insurance and pension benefits.
  • Zomato representatives did not attend a December 23 labour hearing after workers filed a memorandum; the next hearing is scheduled for January 1, 2026, as unions warn of delivery disruptions across major cities.