The Gig and Platform Services Workers Union (GIPSWU) on May 16 organised a temporary nationwide shutdown of app-based services from 12 pm to 5 pm to protest rising fuel prices and inadequate wages. The strike, which comes after a Rs 3 per litre petrol and diesel price hike announced on Friday, has impacted food delivery, ride-hailing and quick-commerce platforms including Swiggy, Zomato, Uber, Ola and Blinkit.
In a press note, GIPSWU claimed the strike witnessed significant success. “The Gig and Platform Services Workers Union (GIPSWU) today announced that the nationwide strike called in protest against rising fuel prices and inadequate compensation for gig workers witnessed an estimated 60% participation across major cities in India,” the union stated, adding that the participation levels reflect growing distress among gig workers and their urgent demand for fair compensation mechanisms.
Protests escalate after first major fuel hike in four years
Friday’s price revision marked the first nationwide fuel price increase in nearly four years. In Delhi, petrol is now priced at approximately Rs 97.77 per litre and diesel at Rs 90.67 per litre, while in Hyderabad, rates have crossed Rs 110 per litre for petrol.
Oil marketing companies attributed the hike to soaring international crude oil prices and supply disruptions linked to ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia, including the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Gig workers struggling as earnings fail to keep pace
The union estimates that nearly 1.2 crore gig and platform workers across India are directly affected by the fuel price rise. GIPSWU National Coordinator Nirmal Gorana said these workers, who rely on motorcycles and scooters for daily earnings, are among the most vulnerable sections of the unorganised workforce.
“Fuel, maintenance and vehicle costs have soared while companies have not adjusted payments proportionally,” Gorana said, adding that many delivery executives and drivers work 10 to 14 hours daily in congested traffic and extreme weather.
Union President Seema Singh warned that many gig workers may be forced to leave the sector if earnings are not revised, noting that the fuel hike along with higher LPG cylinder rates has intensified financial pressure on workers already grappling with rising living costs.
Longstanding grievances pre-date fuel crisis
The current protests are the latest in a series of mobilisations by platform workers. In December 2025, gig and quick-commerce workers organised a nationwide strike against low wages, lack of social security and unfair working conditions, opposing ultra-fast delivery models including the 10-minute delivery option and demanding restoration of earlier payout structures.
In February 2026, thousands of gig workers, led largely by women, staged nationwide protests demanding fair wages and social security. At Jantar Mantar, workers held placards reading “We are not slaves of algorithms” and “Unblock our IDs, unlock our lives”, flagging concerns over arbitrary ID blocking, fluctuating wages, exploitative working hours and lack of grievance redressal mechanisms. The union estimated that nearly 48 lakh gig workers earn less than Rs 15,000 per month.
Demands include minimum pay, social security and legal recognition
GIPSWU is demanding a minimum payment of Rs 20 per kilometre for delivery and transport workers, along with fuel-linked compensation support and a revision in fare structures. The union has submitted memorandums to digital platform companies including Zomato, Swiggy, Blinkit, Zepto, Ola, Uber and Rapido seeking immediate revision of payment structures and reasonable compensation for rising fuel expenses.
Previous demands have included guaranteed minimum monthly earnings of Rs 24,000, discontinuation of unsafe 10-20 minute delivery timelines, an end to arbitrary ID blocking and punitive rating systems, social security benefits and legal recognition of platform workers under labour laws rather than being misclassified as “partners”.
New labour codes offer framework but implementation remains weak
In November 2025, the government brought four Labour Codes into force, including the Code on Social Security, 2020, which for the first time provides formal recognition to gig and platform workers and brings them under the ambit of social security. Under the Code, aggregators are required to contribute 1-2% of their annual turnover to a Social Security Fund to finance life and disability cover, health and maternity benefits, pension and accident insurance.
However, workers say these provisions remain largely on paper. GIPSWU has warned that continued neglect of gig workers’ rights could have serious implications for India’s economic growth, and has demanded immediate tripartite discussions under the Industrial Disputes Act.
Reiterating its warning from the press note, the union said: “GIPSWU warns that if immediate steps are not taken to address this demand, the union will be compelled to escalate its agitation. A large-scale protest will be organized at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, in the coming days to demonstrate the collective strength and resolve of the platform-based gig workers’ community.”
The union reiterated that gig workers are an essential part of the urban economy and deserve fair wages, social security, and dignified working conditions.
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