In a significant move highlighting the growing unrest in India's platform economy, the Gig & Platform Services Workers Union (GIPSWU) has called for a nationwide strike on December 31, 2025. This marks a major escalation in the fight for labour rights within the country's burgeoning gig sector.
What is the Strike About?
The union, notable for being India's first women-led national trade union for gig and platform workers, has urged its members across the country to log off from their delivery and service apps. This coordinated action is expected to pause operations for food, grocery, and other platform-based services, with significant disruptions anticipated in major hubs like Delhi.
This December 31st strike builds upon the momentum of a previous successful action. On December 25, 2025, approximately 5,000 workers in the Delhi NCR region participated in a digital strike by going offline. Encouraged by this show of strength, gig workers from across India are now extending their solidarity, planning to unite on the last day of the year.
Core Demands of the Gig Workers
The strike is not merely a protest but a call for systemic change. GIPSWU, through its national coordinator Nirmal Gorana, is pressing central and state governments to address critical gaps in the protection of platform workers. The union argues that while the platform economy is booming, its foundational workforce remains exploited and vulnerable.
The key demands align the gig sector with established labour protections and include:
- Legal recognition of platform workers as "workers" under existing labour law.
- Establishment of a fixed minimum per-kilometre rate to ensure fair earnings.
- Ensuring workplace safety, with specific provisions to protect women workers from harassment and discrimination.
- Granting essential benefits like maternity leave and emergency leave.
The union stresses that the current model, which often denies basic rights and exposes workers to unsafe conditions, is unsustainable for the economy's long-term health.
Implications and Industry Response
The planned nationwide work stoppage underscores the sector's collective strength and the economy's deep reliance on gig labour. By switching off the apps en masse, workers aim to demonstrate their indispensable role in daily commerce and urban life.
As of now, the response from private service providers remains unclear. Attempts to reach several major platforms for comment on the impending strike did not yield any official responses, leaving users and businesses to prepare for potential service halts on New Year's Eve.
The GIPSWU's action signals a pivotal moment for India's labour landscape, challenging policymakers and companies to create a more equitable framework for the millions who power the digital convenience economy.
