Mass protest by delivery partners across India may delay food, grocery and e commerce orders during New Year celebrations tonight.
Gig and platform workers across India, including delivery partners for Zomato, Swiggy, Blinkit, Zepto, Amazon and Flipkart, have announced a nationwide strike on December 31, 2025. As a result, the protest is expected to cause major disruptions to food delivery, quick commerce services and e commerce orders during one of the busiest celebration nights of the year.
Moreover, major unions such as the Gig and Platform Service Workers Union, the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union and the Indian Federation of App Based Transport Workers are leading this strike. Instead of staging large street protests, workers plan to log out of delivery apps or significantly reduce their activity.
Workers Demand Better Pay, Rights and Safety
Gig workers have listed strong demands that reflect their growing frustration within the industry. They argue that payouts per order have declined even as workloads continue to rise. Therefore, they want a fair minimum per kilometre rate and fully transparent earnings.
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Additionally, they demand proper safety measures and insurance support. They say 10 minute delivery targets push them into dangerous driving conditions. Apart from this, they seek formal legal recognition, protection from unfair penalties and sudden account deactivations. They also want maternity and emergency leave benefits, which they currently lack.
Services Likely to Be Disrupted in Major Cities
Consequently, customers may face long delivery delays or even cancellations, especially during peak evening hours. Quick commerce platforms that rely on fast deliveries could suffer the most.
The impact may spread widely across major cities such as Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, Pune and Kolkata, along with several tier 2 cities as well. Meanwhile, restaurants and consumer goods companies are preparing by stocking inventory early and exploring alternate delivery arrangements to keep operations running.
Companies Offer Incentives but Concerns Continue
In response to the strike, delivery companies are trying to minimise the services gap. Therefore, platforms like Swiggy, Zomato and Zepto are offering special bonuses and rewards to workers who continue to remain online.
Some incentives may go as high as ten thousand rupees during peak hours. They are also coordinating with local authorities and enhancing operational support, hoping to avoid a complete shutdown. However, despite these measures, industry concerns remain high because a large turnout in the strike could still lead to severe disruptions.
Customers Advised to Plan Orders Early
As a precaution, users depending on home delivery for food and groceries tonight should plan ahead. They may need to order well before peak time to avoid disappointment. In addition, they should expect wait times to be much longer than usual. If necessary, customers can pick up orders directly from nearby restaurants or stores or choose alternative delivery arrangements wherever possible.
Strike Highlights Major Issues in Gig Economy
Overall, the strike highlights the urgent need to address workers’ concerns regarding fair treatment, social security and rights in the growing gig economy. It also comes soon after a similar protest on December 25 that already caused service delays in many cities. Therefore, as India celebrates New Year’s Eve, this nationwide action shows how essential delivery workers have become and why their issues can no longer be ignored.
