Wed Dec 31 08:02:34 UTC 2025: News Article:

Nationwide Gig Worker Strike Looms Over New Year’s Eve Food Delivery

New Delhi, December 31, 2025 – A nationwide strike called by gig worker unions threatens to disrupt food delivery services across India on New Year’s Eve, traditionally one of the busiest days of the year for platforms like Zomato and Swiggy. The Telangana Gig and Platform Workers’ Union (TGPWU) and the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT) claim over 170,000 workers are participating in the strike, demanding better pay and improved working conditions.

The strike follows a previous action on December 25th, where thousands of delivery workers logged off in protest. Unions claim that platform companies have failed to address concerns about reduced payouts, unsafe working conditions, and a lack of dialogue with workers.

In response to the impending disruption, Zomato and Swiggy are offering increased incentives to delivery partners. Zomato is offering payouts of ₹120 to ₹150 per order during peak hours and promising potential earnings of up to ₹3,000 for the day. They have also temporarily waived penalties for order denials. Swiggy is advertising peak-hour earnings of up to ₹2,000 for the six-hour period between 6 p.m. and 12 a.m., with potential total earnings of up to ₹10,000 across December 31 and January 1.

Both companies maintain that these increased payouts are standard practice during high-demand periods. However, union leaders argue that these temporary incentives do not address the underlying issues facing gig workers and have called for a sustained nationwide strike.

The strike’s impact on New Year’s Eve deliveries remains to be seen, but consumers should expect potential delays and disruptions as the standoff between gig workers and platform companies continues.

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