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Gig workers’ union claims over one lakh participants in nationwide new year’s eve strike

By A Representative 
The Gig & Platform Services Workers Union (GIPSWU) on Wednesday claimed that more than 100,000 gig and platform workers across 22 cities participated in a nationwide strike on New Year’s Eve, protesting working conditions, pay structures and what the union described as intimidation by platform companies and authorities.
In a press statement issued on January 1, GIPSWU said around 14,000 of its members from eight major cities, including Delhi and Mumbai, joined the strike, which targeted major food delivery and quick commerce platforms such as Zomato, Swiggy, Blinkit and Zepto. The union alleged that workers faced threats, late-night calls and pressure to accept orders during the protest period, and claimed that police were used in some locations to disperse peaceful demonstrations.
The union rejected platform companies’ public claims of high order volumes on New Year’s Eve, asserting instead that many delivery apps experienced disruptions after workers uninstalled applications and refused to take orders. According to GIPSWU, a large number of orders went undelivered as a result of the strike.
GIPSWU further alleged that platform companies routinely violate labour laws and constitutional guarantees related to fair wages, safety and dignity of work. The union said the absence of government intervention or dialogue had encouraged companies to continue what it termed exploitative practices.
The strike, the union said, reflected growing awareness among gig workers about their rights and collective strength. GIPSWU reiterated its demands, which include a minimum pay rate of ₹20 per kilometre, an eight-hour workday, health insurance coverage, protection against arbitrary account suspensions and ratings, safer working conditions, and legal recognition of gig workers as workers rather than independent “partners”.
The union indicated that further campaigns and protests are being planned if its demands are not addressed. No official response was immediately available from the platform companies or the government at the time of filing this report.

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