The swiggy zomato strike on December 31 has created major disruption across india
Swiggy Zomato Strike | Gig Workers Strike On Dec 31st: Could affect New Year Celebrations
Just as millions across India are getting ready to usher in New Year’s Eve 2025, a sudden disruption has stared them in the face: delivery personnel of the country’s leading platforms, such as Swiggy, Zomato, Blinkit, Zepto, Amazon, and Flipkart, have joined a **pan-India gig workers strike on December 31.** The protest, spearheaded by unions such as the Gig & Platform Services Workers Union – GIPSWU, Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU), among others, has sought to shine the spotlight on grievances in the gig economy that have been there for long.
Why Swiggy Zomato Strike Is Happening
The strike called by gig workers-commonly referred to as delivery partners or delivery agents-is to protest against their working conditions, to ask for a fare price, and also to raise demands on better labor protection. Demands submitted to the government authorities and platform companies include
Minimum pay rates per kilometer to guarantee predictable income, rather than unpredictable payouts;
Get rid of ultra-fast delivery pressures like the “10-minute delivery” mandates that make the risk and stress greater to riders;
Algorithmic policies on pay, incentives, and penalties that are transparent;
Provided, of course, the basic social security measures like health insurance, emergency leave, and maternity benefits; and
Financial predictability through a guaranteed minimum monthly income.
Unions say that, notwithstanding claims that they were “partners,” gig workers did not enjoy basic labour rights and therefore found themselves open to unsafe conditions, inconsistent income, and lack of basic protection. https://buzzook.com/khaleda-zia-dead/ Workers said low pay, long hours, and algorithmic control had undermined their livelihoods and driven many to collective action.
What the Platforms Are Doing
Ahead of the stir, delivery companies are said to be increasing efforts to keep workers online during the peak holiday season. Swiggy and Zomato have promised incentives and special rewards to riders who https://www.ndtv.com/video/swiggy-zomato-strike-gig-workers-strike-on-december-31-potential-impact-on-new-year-celebrations-1041189 remain available on December 31 and January 1, besides extra cash for some time slots. Quick commerce platform Zepto is also ramping up per-order pay during peak evening hours.
At the same time, the platforms are strengthening operational plans by establishing “war rooms”, tightening communication with restaurant partners, co-coordinating with local authorities over rider safety, and preparing in-house delivery solutions where possible. Restaurants could also deploy their own staff to make deliveries when third-party gig workers are unavailable.
Impact of Swiggy Zomato Strike on New Year Celebrations
The Swiggy and Zomato workers strike on December 31 has the potential to significantly affect New Year celebrations across major Indian cities, as online food delivery and quick-commerce services play a crucial role during this peak festive night.
1. Food Delivery Delays & Cancellations
New Year’s Eve is one of the busiest days for food delivery apps. Due to the strike, many users may face long delivery times, order cancellations, or limited restaurant availability, especially during dinner and late-night hours. Popular party orders like pizzas, biryani, desserts, and beverages could be harder to get on time.
2. Reduced Availability of Delivery Partners
With a large number of gig workers participating in the strike, delivery partner shortages are expected in metro cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune. This may result in fewer delivery slots and restricted service coverage.
3. Higher Prices & Surge Fees
To manage limited workforce and high demand, platforms may introduce surge pricing or higher delivery charges. Customers could end up paying more than usual for food and grocery orders on New Year’s Eve.
4. Impact on Party Planning
Many people rely on Swiggy and Zomato for last-minute party arrangements, including food, snacks, cakes, and drinks. The strike could disrupt house parties, forcing people to switch to offline shopping or local takeaways at the last moment.
5. Pressure on Restaurants & Local Stores
Restaurants dependent on online orders may see a dip in sales, while local food joints and physical stores could experience increased footfall as customers look for alternatives to app-based delivery.
Worker Solidarity vs. Operational Reality
While many gig workers have joined this strike, not all are expected to do so-because of economic pressures, especially where incentives are announced or personal situations need income on a very important day. Reports from some urban neighborhoods said the participation was mixed, with delivery services still showing up in certain pockets amid a strike.
Looking Ahead
The strike by gig workers on December 31 outlines larger debates on labour rights in India’s booming digital economy. It underscores the growing demand for sustainable employment models that balance consumer convenience with fair treatment of workers. The culmination of the protest as the world gears up to enter a New Year may set the tone for future negotiations between gig workers and delivery platforms, with possible ramifications for how services operate during peak festive seasons.
