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India’s Gig Workers Stage New Year’s Eve Strike as Swiggy and Zomato Raise Payouts

Companies counter the action with short‑term payouts to keep riders online.

Overview

  • Delivery and app‑based workers staged a nationwide log‑off on December 31 called by IFAT and TGPWU, with unions claiming over 1.7 lakh participants.
  • Food, grocery and quick‑commerce orders in cities including Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi‑NCR, Hyderabad and Kolkata were expected to slow during evening peaks, though the scale of disruption remained uncertain.
  • Zomato offered ₹120–₹150 per order from 6 p.m. to midnight, flagged potential daily earnings of up to ₹3,000, and temporarily waived denial and cancellation penalties, calling it standard festive protocol.
  • Swiggy advertised up to ₹2,000 for the 6 p.m.–12 a.m. window and earnings up to ₹10,000 across Dec 31–Jan 1, while quick‑commerce players such as Blinkit, Instamart and Zepto also increased incentives.
  • Unions demanded a halt to 10‑minute delivery models, restoration of earlier payout structures, an end to arbitrary ID deactivations and algorithmic penalties, and social‑security coverage, citing punitive responses after the Dec 25 protest.