Delivery Workers To Hold Nationwide Strikes for Dec 25 and 31
Thousands of delivery partners associated with major quick-commerce and food-delivery platforms have announced a coordinated nationwide strike scheduled for December 25 and December 31.
The protest, organized by various gig worker unions and labor collectives, aims to disrupt services during the peak holiday season to draw attention to deteriorating working conditions, stagnant pay structures, and the lack of social security benefits.
The strike will impact major metropolitan hubs, potentially crippling the operations of industry giants like Zomato, Swiggy, Zepto, and Blinkit during two of the busiest days for the delivery sector.
Delivery Workers’ Demand for Fair Pay and Transparency
The primary driver behind the industrial action is the “dwindling per-order earnings” reported by workers.
Union leaders argue that while platforms have increased platform fees and delivery charges for customers, the actual payout to the delivery partners has remained stagnant or, in some cases, decreased due to complex algorithmic changes.
Workers are demanding a transparent base-pay model that accounts for the rising costs of fuel and vehicle maintenance.
“We are the backbone of these billion-dollar companies, yet we struggle to meet our basic daily expenses,” stated a representative from a prominent gig workers’ union.
The strikers are calling for a minimum guaranteed payout per delivery and the removal of “hidden” penalties that deduct earnings for minor delays caused by traffic or restaurant wait times.
Safety Concerns and Social Security
Beyond financial compensation, the strike highlights the physical risks faced by delivery personnel.
The push for “10-minute deliveries” in the quick-commerce sector has significantly increased the pressure on riders, often leading to traffic accidents.
Strikers are demanding comprehensive accidental insurance, health cover for their families, and a formal recognition as “employees” rather than “independent partners.”
The unions are also pushing for the implementation of the Code on Social Security, which was intended to provide a safety net for gig workers but has seen slow progress in terms of ground-level execution.
The absence of a formal grievance redressal mechanism remains a major point of contention, as many workers claim their IDs are blocked by platforms without due process or explanation.
Delivery Workers’ Strike Strategic Timing: Holiday Disruptions
The selection of December 25 and December 31 serves as a strategic move to maximize leverage for the workers.
These dates represent the highest order volumes of the year for food and grocery apps. By withdrawing labor during these windows, the unions hope to force platform executives to the negotiating table.
While platforms have reportedly begun recruiting temporary “fleet reserves” to mitigate the impact, union organizers remain confident that the scale of the strike will lead to significant service delays and cancellations.
Platform Response and the Path Forward
While most companies have not issued a formal joint statement, internal sources suggest that platforms are monitoring the situation closely.
Some have started offering “holiday “surge bonuses” to incentivize workers to stay online, but labor advocates dismiss these as “temporary Band-Aids” that do not address the systemic issues of the gig economy.
As the deadline approaches, the tension between the tech platforms and their delivery fleets underscores the growing global debate over gig worker rights and the sustainability of the hyper-delivery business model.
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