Salauddin said the strike was intended to draw attention to these urgent issues.
Swiggy, Zomato, and Amazon Delivery Workers Strike Nationwide Before New Year Over Pay and Safety
On Wednesday, December 31, 2025, just a day before New Year’s Day, gig and platform delivery workers across India, including workers associated with major companies such as Swiggy, Zomato, Zepto and Amazon, went on a nationwide strike.
The Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU) organised the strike. It is backed by the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT) and Shaik Salauddin, President of TGPWU. According to him, the protest was called in response to what the workers describe as “unfair policies followed by platform-based companies” that they say have persisted despite repeated appeals.
Salauddin told the media the union has placed five key demands before the platform companies, highlighting concerns over pay, work conditions and job security. The first demand is the restoration of an earlier payout system that delivery partners allege used to provide more stable and transparent earnings during festivals such as Dussehra, Diwali and Bakrid.
Another key demand is the withdrawal of the “10-minute delivery” system. Workers argue this model forces them to rush deliveries, increasing stress and risking their safety on the roads.
The union also wants action to stop the blocking or deactivation of worker accounts without clear reasons or proper communication, which workers say leaves them suddenly without income and no recourse to appeal, he said.
Delivery partners have also criticised the extensive use of algorithms by platform companies, claiming these automated systems negatively influence incentives and earnings, making income unpredictable and financially unstable for gig workers.
Finally, the union has called for the introduction of social security benefits, including insurance coverage and welfare measures, stressing that gig workers continue to remain excluded from basic social protections despite their growing role in the workforce.
Salauddin said the strike was intended to draw attention to these urgent issues. He urged the gig and platform workers across India to participate peacefully, pressing both the companies and policymakers to address the workers’ longstanding grievances.
Source: Hindustan Times
