Consumers planning New Year’s Eve celebrations are being urged to stock up early, as delivery workers across major Indian platforms—including Zomato, Swiggy, Blinkit, Zepto, Amazon, and Flipkart—have announced a nationwide strike on Wednesday, December 31. The strike is expected to significantly disrupt last-minute food and party essential deliveries during one of the busiest days of the year.
The protest is being led by the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU) along with the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT). Union leaders claim that over one lakh gig workers are expected to participate by logging out of apps or sharply reducing their workload. Major metropolitan areas likely to be impacted include Bengaluru, Delhi-NCR, Mumbai and Pune, Hyderabad, and Kolkata.
The planned walkout follows a similar strike on Christmas Day, during which nearly 40,000 workers reportedly participated, causing delivery disruptions of up to 60% in several cities.
At the heart of the protest are concerns over worsening working conditions in India’s rapidly expanding gig economy. Workers cite low and inconsistent pay, lack of job security, and the absence of social security benefits such as health insurance and accident coverage. Unions have also criticised opaque “app-based governance,” alleging that algorithms determine pay cuts, incentives, and penalties without transparency or prior notice.
Another major point of contention is the rise of ultra-fast delivery promises, including 10-minute delivery models. According to union leaders, such timelines pressure workers into unsafe driving practices, increasing the risk of road accidents. Shaik Salauddin, founder of TGPWU, described the situation as “modern-day exploitation,” alleging that workers who raise concerns face ID blocking, threats, and algorithmic retaliation.
While Niti Aayog estimates that India’s gig workforce could grow to 2.35 crore by 2030, unions argue that growth has not translated into fair wages or safer working environments. Major delivery platforms have not yet issued official responses to the strike announcement.
In light of the planned shutdown, consumers are advised not to rely on last-minute app-based deliveries and to make alternative arrangements for New Year’s Eve celebrations.
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