The unions are demanding job security, higher pay, safer working conditions, and access to social security benefits.
India Delivery Workers Strike During Christmas and New Year
On Thursday, December 25, 2025, delivery workers across India tied to major food delivery, quick commerce and e-commerce platforms, including Zomato, Swiggy, Zepto, Blinkit, Amazon and Flipkart were involved in a nationwide strike. They have also called another for December 31, which is one of the year’s busiest days for the sector.
The protest was organised by the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT) and the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU) to highlight worsening working conditions and declining payouts for delivery partners.
TGPWU founder president Shaik Salauddin said that on Christmas Day about 40,000 delivery riders across cities conducted flash strikes and bike rallies to demonstrate unity and show the platforms they are prepared to act.
The unions are demanding job security, higher pay, safer working conditions, and access to social security benefits. They also alleged intimidation by platform companies, including arbitrary ID blocking of leaders and active workers, which they said undermines fair participation.
According to union claims cited by The Economic Times, the action led to delays and disruptions in 50–60% of orders in some cities on December 25, though companies did not formally acknowledge this.
The planned strikes come against the backdrop of new Indian labour codes that formally define gig work and require platforms to contribute to a worker welfare fund; according to the unions, these changes must be backed by stronger protections.
Source: The Economic Times
