Delivery workers from major food delivery and online shopping platforms such as Amazon, Zomato, Zepto, Blinkit, Swiggy, and Flipkart have announced a nationwide strike on December 25 and December 31, 2025. The workers say the move is meant to increase pressure on these companies, as unions claim working conditions in the gig economy have continued to get worse.
The strike has been announced by the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union and the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers. Delivery workers from metro cities and major tier-2 cities are expected to take part.
Reason behind nationwide strike – What changes do gig workers want?
The unions beleive that the platform companies have too much control on algorithms, which decide pay and work targets. They say risks are being pushed onto workers, while delivery deadlines are getting tighter and incentive rules keep changing.
The unions in a statement have said that the delivery workers, who play a key role in delivering food and packages to people, especially during festivals and busy hours, are facing serious problems. These include falling incomes, long and uncertain work hours, unsafe delivery deadlines, sudden blocking of work IDs, and no basic social security or welfare support.
The unions have also asked for stronger systems within the apps to handle complaints, especially related to route issues and payment failures. The workers want job security measures like fixed rest breaks, health insurance, cover in cases of accidents and also pension benefits. Fair pay system is of course part of the demand. The workers reportedly also want an end to the ultra-fast 10-minute delivery models.
What are unions asking from the government?
The unions have urged both the Centre and state governments to act on their demands immediately. They want stricter rules for platform companies, proper enforcement of labour laws, social security schemes for gig workers, and official recognition of their right to form unions and negotiate collectively.
Union leader Shaik Salauddin said delivery workers are being pushed to their limits due to unsafe work systems, shrinking earnings and no social protection. He said the strike is meant to demand fairness, dignity and responsibility, and that the government cannot stay silent while companies make profits at the cost of workers’ lives.
What help has the government given to gig workers so far?
The strike comes at a time when the government has introduced new labour reforms to formally recognise gig and platform workers. Under the updated Code on Social Security, which came into force on November 21, 2025, digital platforms must now contribute 1–2% of their yearly turnover to a Social Security Fund, with an upper limit of 5% of the payments made to gig workers.
The fund is meant to support welfare schemes such as health insurance, accident cover and maternity benefits. The new rules also require Aadhaar-linked universal account numbers so workers can carry their benefits across platforms, and they expand the legal definition of gig and platform work.
While many companies have welcomed the changes, saying they bring clarity and better protection, unions argue that this is only a first step. They say deeper problems around minimum pay, worker safety and algorithm-based control still remain.