Gig and platform workers to strike on Christmas and New Year’s Eve

On December 25 and December 31, 2025, delivery personnel from leading platforms such as Swiggy, zomato, Zepto, Blinkit, Urban Company, Amazon, and Flipkart are set to participate in a nationwide strike. This action reflects growing concerns over deteriorating work conditions within the gig economy, particularly for those engaged in app-based delivery and home services. Workers are demanding fair compensation, enhanced safety protocols, and recognition of their rights amid increasing exploitation. The strike aims to spotlight these urgent issues and push for meaningful reforms in the platform-based labor sector.

urgent Call to End Hazardous Delivery Practices

One of the primary grievances voiced by gig workers centers on the controversial “10-minute service” delivery model, which pressures couriers to complete orders within dangerously short timeframes.This unrealistic expectation not only jeopardizes their safety but also contributes to heightened stress and accidents on the job. Workers are demanding the immediate abolition of this model, alongside the establishment of transparent wage systems that fairly compensate effort and incentivize quality service. Additionally, they seek mandatory rest periods and regulated working hours to prevent burnout and ensure well-being.

Thorough Demands for Worker Rights and Protections

Beyond pay and timing, the strike highlights broader demands including improved safety measures such as protective gear and emergency support, equitable distribution of work without bias from algorithmic systems, and robust technical assistance to resolve issues like payment delays or app malfunctions.The workforce also calls for formal job security and social benefits, encompassing health insurance, accident coverage, and pension schemes. Central to their demands is the insistence on respect and dignity in the workplace, countering the often dehumanizing treatment experienced by gig workers.

government’s Role and Legislative Challenges

While the Karnataka Platform-Based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Act, 2025 represents a legislative step toward protecting gig workers, its enforcement remains inadequate. According to mohammad Inayat Ali, national vice president of the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT), the persistence of unsafe delivery models and lack of effective implementation undermine the law’s intent.Workers also report intimidation tactics by companies aimed at discouraging union membership, which hampers collective bargaining efforts. The strike serves as a demand for the government to take decisive action in regulating platform companies and safeguarding worker rights.

Impact of the Gig Economy on Worker Welfare

The gig economy,while offering flexibility and employment opportunities,has increasingly been criticized for its precarious labor conditions. delivery workers face declining incomes,absence of social security,and exposure to physical risks without adequate support. This strike underscores the urgent need for systemic reforms to balance corporate profits with worker welfare. It also reflects a global trend where gig workers are organizing to claim their rights, as seen in recent movements across countries like the United States and the United Kingdom, where similar demands for fair wages and protections have gained momentum.

Significant Facts: Key Points to Remember

• The nationwide strike by delivery workers is scheduled for December 25 and December 31,2025.
• Major platforms involved include Swiggy, Zomato, Zepto, Blinkit, Urban Company, Amazon, and Flipkart.
• The “10-minute service” delivery model is a central issue, criticized for endangering workers’ safety.
• The Karnataka Platform-Based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Act, 2025 exists but lacks effective enforcement.
• Mohammad Inayat Ali is the national vice president of the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT).
• Workers demand transparent wage structures, mandatory rest breaks, and protection against arbitrary penalties.
• Social security benefits sought include health insurance, accident coverage, and pension schemes.
• Companies have been accused of intimidating workers to prevent unionization.
• The strike highlights the need for government regulation and recognition of gig workers’ rights to organize.
• Similar labor movements are gaining traction globally, reflecting widespread gig economy challenges.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why are delivery workers striking on Christmas and New Year’s Eve 2025? The strike is a protest against unsafe working conditions, unfair wages, and lack of social security in the gig economy, aiming to pressure companies and the government for reforms.

Q: What is the “10-minute service” model, and why is it controversial? This model requires deliveries within ten minutes, which workers say is unrealistic and hazardous, increasing the risk of accidents and stress.

Q: Has the government taken any steps to protect gig workers? The Karnataka Platform-Based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Act, 2025 was introduced to provide protections, but its implementation has been insufficient so far.

Q: What social security benefits are gig workers demanding? They seek health insurance, accident coverage, pension benefits, and job security to ensure long-term welfare and protection.

Q: how are companies responding to workers’ efforts to unionize? According to reports, some companies have used intimidation tactics to discourage union membership and collective bargaining among gig workers.