Delivery workers from major ecommerce and food delivery platforms such as Swiggy, Zomato, Zepto, Blinkit, Amazon and Flipkart have announced an All-India strike on December 25 and December 31, CNBC-TV18 reported.
The strike has been announced by the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers and the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union.
December 25, which is Christmas Day, and December 31, which is New Year’s Eve, usually see high orders on food delivery and other ecommerce platforms.
Why are gig workers going on strike?
The unions said the strike is being held to protest worsening working conditions in the gig and platform economy. Workers have raised concerns over low and falling wages, lack of safety, job insecurity and the absence of social protection.
What demands have the unions raised?
According to the unions’ statement, workers are demanding clear and fair pay systems and the withdrawal of “10-minute delivery” models, which they say put lives at risk. They are also seeking an end to account blocking without due process.
Other demands include better safety gear, accident insurance and guaranteed work allocation without algorithm-based discrimination. Workers are also asking for mandatory rest breaks, reasonable working hours, stronger in-app technical and grievance support, and access to social security benefits such as health insurance, accident cover and pensions.
What are workers asking from governments and platforms?
The unions have urged both the Central and state governments to regulate platform companies and strictly enforce labour protections. They have also called for the implementation of social security frameworks for gig workers and formal recognition of their right to organise and bargain collectively, the news report said.
How does this link to new labour reforms?
The strike comes as the government rolls out labour reforms aimed at formally recognising gig and platform workers. Under the revised Code on Social Security, digital platforms are required to contribute 1-2 per cent of their annual turnover to a Social Security Fund, capped at 5 per cent of the total payments made to gig workers.
Union leaders argue that while the framework marks progress, enforcement and tangible benefits for workers remain limited, prompting the call for collective action.
