In a letter, the Gig and Platform Services Workers Union (GIPSWU) said the December 25 nationwide strike by delivery workers underscored the dire consequences for India’s growth if workers’ concerns were not addressed. File | Photo credit: The Hindu
Gig and platform workers’ unions announced a strike on Wednesday (December 31, 2025) against the “systemic exclusion from basic job rights” of gig workers. In a letter to Union Labor Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, they urged the Center to take immediate action to stop the “exploitation” of workers by platforms in the food delivery and taxi industries.
Also Read I Gig Workers Nationwide Strike: Why Are They Protesting?
In a letter, the Gig and Platform Services Workers Union (GIPSWU) said the December 25 nationwide strike by delivery workers underscored the dire consequences for India’s growth if workers’ concerns were not addressed. “Concert workers continue to face systemic exclusion from basic labor rights under Indian law and constitutional guarantees. Reports document pervasive harassment, discrimination and violence against workers. This strike unites concert workers and allies to demand immediate government action,” the paper added.
In a demand charter presented to the minister, the GIPSWU said the “10-20 minute service delivery” should be brought to an end as a matter of urgency to prioritize worker safety.
“Fix minimum per kilometer rates at ₹20 for Zomato, Swiggy, Blinkit, Zepto, Flipkart and BigBasket workers; ensure workplace safety for women. Provide emergency leave and comprehensive maternity protection to service workers, remove arbitrary ID blocking and punitive rating systems and guarantee minimum monthly earnings of ₹40,000,” the charter said.
It also included demands such as stopping automatic credit advance deductions and capping all deductions at 20%. The union demanded worker compensation for customer-initiated cancellations and said workers should be excluded from performance metrics.
AI-based calls should be replaced by 24/7 human customer support, unions have urged.
“Legally recognize platform workers as ’employees’ under labor law and stop misclassifying them as ‘partners,'” the charter emphasizes.
Shaik Salauddin, founder president, Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU), said when delivery workers voiced their concerns, platform companies responded with ID blocking, threats, police intimidation and algorithmic punishment. “This is nothing but modern exploitation,” he said. “The government must act now. Regulate platform companies, stop victimization of workers and ensure fair wages, safety and social protection. The gig economy cannot be built on the broken bodies and silenced voices of workers,” he said.
Published – 30 Dec 2025 22:23 IST
