Gig and platform workers across India, including those working for Swiggy, Zomato, Zepto, and Amazon, went on a nationwide strike on December 31, 2025, a day before New Year’s Eve. The protest, organized under the banner of the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU) and the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT), aims to address what workers describe as unfair policies followed by platform-based companies.
Shaik Salauddin, TGPWU President, told ANI that the strike was called after repeated appeals to platform companies went unaddressed. Workers are demanding changes to working conditions, pay structures, and social security benefits. Delivery services on popular apps may be disrupted due to the protest.
The union has outlined five key demands:
- Restoration of the earlier payout system – Workers say the old structure provided stable and transparent earnings, especially during festivals, and should be implemented regularly.
- Withdrawal of the 10-minute delivery model – The current system pressures workers to rush, increasing stress and road safety risks.
- Fair treatment regarding account suspensions – Many worker IDs are deactivated without clear reasons or communication, leaving them without income or recourse.
- Transparency in algorithm use – Algorithms currently affect incentives and overall earnings, making income unpredictable and financially unstable.
- Introduction of social security benefits – The union has called for insurance coverage and welfare measures, as gig workers remain outside basic social protection despite their growing workforce presence.
Salauddin emphasized that the flash strike is intended to draw attention from companies and policymakers to the urgent problems faced by gig workers. He also urged workers across the country to participate peacefully.