Will Zomato, Swiggy, Flipkart, Amazon, Zepto and Blinkit Be Available on December 31? Everything About the Nationwide Gig Workers’ Strike
Gig workers for Zomato, Swiggy, Amazon, Flipkart, Zepto and Blinkit will go on strike on December 31 to protest low wages, "unsafe" 10-minute delivery targets and lack of social security. Consumers may face major delivery delays and order cancellations on New Year’s Eve as thousands log off across India to demand fair pay and safer working conditions.
Mumbai, December 29: Food and e-commerce deliveries across India may face significant disruptions this New Year’s Eve as thousands of gig workers prepare for a nationwide strike on December 31, 2025. Organized by the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT) and the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU), the protest follows a similar walkout on Christmas Day. Delivery agents and workers from major platforms, including Zomato, Swiggy, Amazon, Flipkart, Zepto and Blinkit, are demanding fair wages, social security, and an end to "high-pressure" delivery models.
The planned gig workers' strike on December 31 is the latest in a series of coordinated actions by delivery partners to highlight deteriorating work conditions. Unions report that workers in major metropolitan hubs and tier-2 cities will participate in "log-off" protests, effectively halting last-mile logistics during one of the year’s busiest periods for online ordering.
The December 25 strike already provided a glimpse of the potential impact, with significant service delays reported in parts of Gurugram and Delhi. Union leaders state that these repeated actions are necessary to force platform companies and the government to address structural issues within the digital economy. Zomato and Swiggy Face Backlash From FHRAI and NRAI Over Private Label Food Delivery, Citing Unfair Competition and Restaurant Data Misuse.
Glimpse From Gig Workers' Strike Held on December 25
What Are Gig Workers' Demand?
A central grievance of the protesting workers is the rise of "ultra-fast" delivery models. Many platforms now promise 10-minute deliveries, a target that workers claim endangers their lives by forcing them to navigate heavy traffic and hazardous conditions at high speeds.
The workers' primary demands include:
- Fair Pay Structures: A transition to transparent wage models that account for rising fuel costs and actual distance traveled.
- Removal of 10-Minute Windows: Scrapping ultra-fast delivery targets to prioritize road safety.
- Algorithmic Transparency: An end to arbitrary ID blocking and penalties where workers are deactivated by automated systems without a human appeals process.
- Social Security: Implementation of health insurance, accident coverage, and pension benefits.
Gig Workers' Demand
Impact of Gig Workers' Strike on Consumers
For consumers, the strike by delivery agents from Zomato, Swiggy, Amazon, Flipkart, Zepto and Blinkit may result in longer wait times, order cancellations, or a total lack of availability for food and grocery services on Tuesday evening. Some platforms have previously responded to localized strikes by offering surge incentives to non-striking riders, but the nationwide scale of the December 31 call poses a much larger challenge to operations.
Industry experts suggest that while platforms are unlikely to shut down entirely, the "peak-hour" demand typical of New Year's Eve will be difficult to manage with a reduced workforce. What Is Temple? Zomato's Deepinder Goyal Teases New Wearable Device Launch From His Health-Tech Startup, Sparking Curiosity Among People; Here’s What To Expect.
The Growing Gig Workforce in India
The scale of the protest reflects the rapid expansion of India's platform economy. According to a 2022 NITI Aayog report, "India's Booming Gig and Platform Economy," the sector employed roughly 7.7 million workers in 2020-21. This number is projected to surge to 23.5 million by 2029-30, making the lack of a consolidated database or comprehensive social security net a growing concern for policymakers.
While the government recently introduced the Code on Social Security (2020) - requiring aggregators to contribute 1-2% of their turnover to a welfare fund - union leaders argue that implementation remains slow. "The reforms have been announced, but the benefits have not reached the workers on the ground," stated Shaik Salauddin, National General Secretary of IFAT.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 29, 2025 10:54 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).