Overview
- Gig-worker unions led by TGPWU and IFAT called a nationwide log-off on December 31, citing more than 170,000 confirmed participants to push for fair pay, social security, protection from ID blocks and an end to ultra-fast delivery deadlines.
- Zomato and Swiggy raised short-term incentives, including ₹120–₹150 per order during 6 p.m.–12 a.m., potential daily earnings up to ₹3,000 on Zomato, and up to ₹10,000 across Dec 31–Jan 1 on Swiggy, alongside temporary penalty waivers.
- Service impact varied by city, with Delhi-NCR and other areas reporting largely normal operations due to payouts and alternative arrangements, even as some metros saw delays and outages reported by workers and local media.
- Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal said more than 75 lakh orders were delivered on New Year’s Eve by 4.5 lakh+ delivery partners across both platforms, a claim unions rejected while alleging police pressure on protesters.
- Policy momentum formed in Telangana, where the state approved a Gig and Platform Workers Welfare Bill, as unions pressed the Centre for dialogue and reforms including guaranteed minimum earnings and safer delivery norms.