Gig Workers Strike Today: Why Are They Protesting & How Will It Impact New Year’s Eve

Gig and platform workers across India are observing a nationwide strike today, December 31, 2025, protesting what they describe as growing exploitation by app-based companies.

The strike, being called an “App Bandh” by worker unions, comes on New Year’s Eve and is expected to disrupt food delivery, grocery services and cab availability in several major cities.

The protest has been called by the Gig and Platform Services Workers Union (GIPSWU), the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU) and the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT).

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In a letter to Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, the unions said gig workers are being systematically denied basic labour rights guaranteed under Indian law and the Constitution, even though they form the backbone of India’s digital commerce economy.

According to the unions, workers are facing increasing work pressure, falling earnings and serious safety risks.

One of the biggest concerns is the push for 10–20 minute deliveries, which workers say forces them to take dangerous risks on the road, especially during peak traffic hours. They argue that speed-based delivery models prioritise customer convenience over worker safety.

The unions have demanded a guaranteed minimum monthly income of Rs 40,000 and a legally fixed minimum pay of Rs 20 per kilometre.

They are also seeking emergency leave, maternity benefits, better safety measures for women workers, and compensation for customer-initiated cancellations.

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Workers have complained about arbitrary ID blocking, harsh rating systems, opaque performance metrics and excessive deductions from their earnings, which they say leave them with little job security or dignity.

Another major demand is legal recognition. Gig workers want to be officially recognised as “workers” under labour laws instead of being labelled as “partners”, a classification unions say is used by companies to deny statutory benefits such as social security and workplace protections.

The unions have also asked for AI-based customer support to be replaced with round-the-clock human support.

The strike is expected to have a noticeable impact on New Year’s Eve celebrations.

Delivery executives are expected to log off apps or significantly reduce availability during lunch, dinner and late-night hours. Cities like Bengaluru, Delhi-NCR, Hyderabad, Pune, Kolkata and several tier-2 markets are likely to see delays or disruptions in food delivery, grocery orders and last-minute shopping.

Unions estimate that between one lakh and one-and-a-half lakh riders could take part in the strike nationwide.

Customers are being advised not to rely heavily on quick-commerce and food delivery apps today.

With deliveries not guaranteed, people are encouraged to buy essentials from physical stores in advance and prepare for longer waiting times or surge pricing if they place orders later in the day.