Plans for New Year's Eve celebrations in 2025 face potential disruption as delivery and logistics workers across major platforms announce a nationwide strike on December 31st. This date, traditionally one of the busiest for food and parcel deliveries, could see significant service interruptions as workers protest against pressing issues of safety and compensation.
Nationwide Call for Action: Who is Striking and Why?
The strike has been formally called by the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU) and the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT). They are receiving strong support from regional worker collectives in key states including Maharashtra, Karnataka, Delhi-NCR, West Bengal, and parts of Tamil Nadu. Workers associated with major platforms like Zomato, Swiggy, Blinkit, Zepto, Amazon, and Flipkart are expected to participate in the work stoppage.
The core reasons for the protest, as stated by the unions, revolve around deteriorating work conditions. Gig workers are being compelled to work longer hours while experiencing a fall in their overall earnings. They highlight critical issues such as unsafe delivery targets, minimal job security, a lack of dignity at work, and an almost complete absence of basic social protection like health insurance or accident cover.
Union Demands and Government Appeal
In a formal letter addressed to Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, the IFAT, which claims to represent approximately 400,000 app-based transport and delivery workers nationally, has laid out a clear set of demands. The primary appeal is for the government to bring platform companies under the purview of existing labour laws.
The unions are specifically calling for a ban on unsafe delivery models, which include the controversial extreme fast-delivery timelines like the 10-minute delivery option. They argue that such models force riders to violate traffic rules, jeopardizing their safety and that of the public.
Other key demands from the workers include:
- A fair and transparent wage system that ensures stable earnings.
- Access to social security benefits such as health coverage, accident insurance, and pension schemes.
- Legal protection for workers' right to organise and bargain collectively with platform companies.
Precedent and Potential Impact
This is not the first such action by gig workers. A similar nationwide strike was observed on December 25th, which, according to official data, led to a 50-60% disruption in services across several major cities. The success of that earlier protest in causing operational delays has likely emboldened the unions to plan for the strategically significant New Year's Eve.
The December 31st strike aims to maximize impact on a day of high consumer demand, thereby drawing greater attention to their grievances regarding falling incomes, arbitrary ID blocking by apps, and the absence of social security. For countless Indians planning parties and gatherings, the strike could mean delayed food orders and parcel deliveries, putting a damper on the festive spirit unless a resolution is reached.
The coming days will be crucial as unions, platform companies, and potentially government bodies engage in discussions. The outcome will determine whether the New Year's Eve of 2025 is marked by celebration or by a significant standoff in India's growing gig economy.
