Countrywide protest by gig workers puts spotlight on algorithmic exploitation

By A Representative 

A nationwide protest led largely by women gig and platform workers was held across several states on February 3, with the Gig & Platform Service Workers Union (GIPSWU) claiming the mobilisation as a success and a strong assertion of workers’ rights against what it described as widespread exploitation by digital platform companies. Demonstrations took place in Delhi, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Maharashtra and other states, covering major cities including New Delhi, Jaipur, Bengaluru and Mumbai, along with multiple districts across the country.

According to the union, hundreds of gig and platform workers associated with companies such as Zomato, Swiggy, Urban Company, Zepto, Blinkit, Instamart and others participated in the protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. Similar actions were reported from other states. Following the demonstrations, workers submitted a Memorandum of Demands to the Office of the Prime Minister and to Chief Ministers, seeking urgent government intervention and the enactment of a comprehensive, enforceable and worker-centric law to regulate gig and platform work.

The protesting workers alleged that in the absence of a clear legal framework, they continue to face unregulated algorithmic control, arbitrary penalties, denial of social security and routine violations of labour and human rights. GIPSWU president Seema Singh said she personally experienced exploitation during her association with Urban Company and alleged that the company threatened her with police action and legal notices after she raised complaints. She said the union has been struggling for the past six years for recognition of gig and platform workers as workers and stressed that exploitation cannot end without a separate and exclusive law.

Several women workers shared accounts of harassment, insecurity and unfair practices. Anjali, a gig worker, alleged that she was misbehaved with and assaulted by a customer while on duty and that the company ignored her complaint and instead blocked her ID, cutting off her livelihood. Pooja highlighted what she described as double cancellation penalties, saying workers often lose two jobs and suffer income and rating losses for cancelling one task due to unavoidable circumstances. Sonia pointed to forced auto-assignments and bundled bookings that compel workers to accept jobs against their will, along with the lack of access to basic facilities such as toilets during work hours. Mamta alleged that despite filing a formal complaint of sexual harassment, no action has been taken by the company, leaving her to work in fear.

National coordinator of GIPSWU, Nirmal Gorana, said that nearly 48 lakh gig workers earn less than ₹15,000 per month, as reported in the Economic Survey, making their living conditions insecure and unsustainable. He expressed disappointment that the Union Budget 2026 did not announce any specific provisions for gig and platform workers, despite high expectations. Gorana also raised concerns about instant delivery models, migrant status of most workers and the vulnerability of women workers, many of whom are single, alleging that conditions amounting to forced labour continue unchecked.

Labour rights advocate Kawalpreet Kaur said that although gig workers have been formally recognised under labour laws, their rights to minimum wages and fair working conditions remain largely unenforced, and implementation of sexual harassment laws has failed in the gig industry. Other workers narrated cases of arbitrary ID blocking, denial of compensation after accidents, continuous location tracking even off duty and fear of retaliation for speaking out. Family members of deceased workers also alleged that neither companies nor the government provided compensation after fatal accidents.

Trade union leader Shanaz Rafiq of AITUC said that threatening women workers and preventing unionisation violates fundamental and constitutional rights, adding that women gig workers are only demanding basic safety and dignity. The union said the scale and participation in the protests reflected growing anger and unity among gig and platform workers nationwide.

Reiterating its demands, GIPSWU called for the immediate enactment of a separate and enforceable law for gig and platform service workers, along with social security protections, fair wages, transparent grievance redressal mechanisms and an end to exploitative algorithmic practices.