New year's party crash: Swiggy, Zomato, Blinkit services disrupted on this day

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu) : If you're relying on apps like Swiggy, Zomato, Blinkit, or Zepto for your New Year's Eve celebrations, this news may raise concerns. Gig and platform delivery workers have announced an all-India strike on December 31st, which could impact food, grocery, and quick commerce delivery services on New Year's Eve.

This strike is being called by the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union and the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers. According to the unions, work pressure on delivery workers increases exponentially during the festive season, while their earnings decline in comparison. Unstable working hours, lack of job security, and increased risk are their primary concerns. These demands have led to a nationwide strike on December 25th and 31st.

Workers' displeasure over the 10-minute delivery model

Gig workers allege that fast delivery models like 10-minute delivery pose a serious threat to their safety. Heavy traffic, pollution, and deadline pressure make two-wheeler driving risky. Unions say that algorithm-based targeting forces workers to drive fast and unsafely. In many cases, IDs are blocked without clear reasons, directly impacting their livelihoods.

Customers may face problems on New Year's Eve

New Year's Eve is considered the peak season for food delivery and online shopping. Therefore, the impact of the strike can be seen in metro cities as well as major tier-2 cities. There have already been reports of Instamart, Zepto and Blinkit's instant delivery services being affected in some areas of Gurugram. In such a situation, placing last-minute orders for New Year's parties may be difficult.

According to the NITI Aayog's 2022 report on the gig economy and government initiatives, there were approximately 7.7 million gig workers in India in 2020-21, and this number is projected to increase to 23.5 million by 2029-30. The government has taken steps toward recognizing gig workers under the Code on Social Security, but unions say this is not enough. Demands for clear rules regarding minimum wages, social security, and algorithmic control have now intensified, becoming a key issue in this strike.