Nationwide Gig Workers’ Strike Disrupts New Year’s Eve Deliveries Across Major Indian Cities
Delivery Partners Protest Unsafe Work Conditions, Seek Ban on 10-Minute Delivery Option: As the countdown to the New Year begins and the world prepares to welcome 2026, millions of Indians may face disruptions to their celebrations. Delivery workers associated with major platforms such as Swiggy, Zomato, Amazon, and Flipkart have announced a nationwide strike ahead of New Year’s Eve, raising concerns over food orders, online shopping, and last-minute deliveries.
The strike is being led by the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union in coordination with the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers. According to union leaders, the protest is expected to significantly affect services in metropolitan cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Kolkata, and Hyderabad. Several tier-two cities such as Lucknow, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Indore, and Patna are also likely to witness partial or complete delivery disruptions.
Swiggy, Zomato, Amazon, and Flipkart have announced a nationwide strike
More than one lakh (100,000+) delivery workers across the country are reportedly participating in the strike. Regional unions from Maharashtra, Karnataka, Delhi NCR, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu have extended their support. Workers have stated that many will either stay offline for the day or log in only briefly, limiting service availability during one of the busiest periods of the year.
The unions say the strike is a response to the continued neglect of gig workers’ concerns by platform companies. A similar protest was held on Christmas Day, but workers claim that no meaningful changes followed. Despite increasing workloads and rising demand, delivery partners allege that pay structures remain unfair and working conditions unsafe.
One of the major points of contention is the 10-minute delivery model, which workers argue puts immense pressure on them and increases the risk of road accidents. Gig workers say they are required to work in extreme weather conditions—heat, cold, rain, and late-night hours—without adequate safety gear or insurance coverage. They also allege arbitrary penalties, sudden ID blocks, and algorithm-based discrimination in work allocation.
In a statement, the unions outlined nine key demands, including the implementation of a fair and transparent pay system, immediate discontinuation of ultra-fast delivery models, an end to penalties without due process, and the provision of proper safety equipment. They also called for stronger app and technical support systems and the assurance of social security benefits such as health insurance, accident coverage, and pension schemes.
Gig workers, who form the backbone of India’s rapidly expanding app-based economy, play a crucial role in sectors ranging from e-commerce to food delivery. However, unions argue that despite being treated as essential workers, they continue to be denied basic employment protections and dignity at work.
As New Year’s Eve approaches, consumers are being advised to plan ahead, as delivery delays and service interruptions are likely to continue until the strike is resolved.
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