Key Points:
- Gig workers led by IFAT and TGPWU are conducting a three-phase digital strike from 2 PM to midnight on December 31
- Workers demand ₹20 per kilometer minimum payment and ₹24,000 monthly income guarantee
- Major controversy over 10-minute delivery model forcing risky driving in congested roads
- Unions call for maternity benefits, 24/7 human grievance support, and comprehensive health insurance
- Workers seek legal recognition as ‘workers’ instead of ‘partners’
- Restaurant owners fear 30% business loss as delivery services face shutdown
Food and e-commerce delivery services across the country could be disrupted amidst New Year’s celebrations as millions of workers have announced a ‘digital strike’ on December 31st. Led by the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT) and the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU), delivery partners associated with major platforms like Swiggy, Zomato, Zepto, Blinkit, Amazon, and Flipkart have decided to cease work due to declining wages, unsafe working conditions, and a lack of social security.
The unions argue that these workers, considered the backbone of digital commerce, are being forced to work excessive hours for meager earnings. This announcement, just before the start of the new year, has sent shockwaves through the e-commerce and food delivery sectors, with many customers potentially facing cancelled orders during peak celebration hours.
Deep Controversy Over the 10-Minute Delivery Model
A major point of contention in the strike is the return of the “10-minute delivery” model. Workers say this system forces them to engage in risky driving on congested roads, increasing the risk of accidents. According to delivery boy Saurabh, it’s not just a matter of work, but a matter of survival, as the pressure of 10-minute deliveries forces them to put their lives at risk. Additionally, the workers are demanding a ban on deliveries after 11 PM during the winter fog, citing dangerous visibility conditions that further endanger their safety.
The hyper-fast delivery model, which major platforms have been aggressively promoting, requires workers to navigate through traffic at high speeds, often violating traffic rules and putting themselves and others at risk. Union leaders point to increasing accident rates among delivery personnel as direct evidence of this dangerous working condition.
Comprehensive Demands for Dignity and Security
The gig workers have released a detailed list of their demands, which include a minimum payment of ₹20 per kilometer and a minimum monthly income of ₹24,000 to ensure basic livelihood security. Female workers are specifically demanding maternity leave benefits, a provision currently absent from most platform policies. The unions are calling for a 24/7 human grievance redressal system instead of an algorithm and AI support, which workers describe as impersonal and ineffective.
Comprehensive health insurance and social security coverage in case of accidents and illness form another critical demand, as many workers currently lack any safety net when injured on the job. Perhaps most significantly, the workers are demanding that delivery partners be granted legal status as ‘workers’ instead of ‘partners’, which would provide them with labor law protections and benefits currently denied to them under the existing contractor model.
Three-Phase Strike Strategy to Maximize Impact
According to IFAT, this strike will take place in three phases as a ‘digital strike,’ where workers will switch off their phones or log out of the app in different time slots from 2 PM to midnight. This strategic approach ensures that the strike affects peak ordering hours throughout New Year’s Eve, when demand for food and grocery deliveries typically surges. The phased methodology allows maximum participation while minimizing individual financial risk for workers.
The timing of the strike, during one of the busiest nights for the food delivery industry, is designed to force platforms and regulators to take immediate notice of workers’ grievances. Union leaders have indicated that if demands are not met, similar strikes could become more frequent and widespread.
Industry Braces for Major Financial Losses
Many restaurant owners believe that 30% of their business depends on online deliveries, and this disruption could cause significant financial losses for small outlets and cloud kitchens. The strike’s impact extends beyond just the delivery platforms to the entire ecosystem of restaurants, dark kitchens, and food brands that have built their business models around app-based delivery services. With New Year’s Eve being one of the most profitable nights for the food industry, the timing of the strike could result in losses running into crores of rupees across the sector.
Industry analysts warn that continued labor unrest could force a fundamental rethinking of the gig economy model in India, potentially leading to increased operational costs for platforms and higher prices for consumers. The strike represents a critical moment in the ongoing struggle for workers’ rights in India’s rapidly growing digital economy.
