As Indians prepare to ring in the New Year on December 31, some may find their last-minute party essentials delayed or unavailable.

Delivery workers across multiple platforms (Zomato, Swiggy, Blinkit, etc.) have planned a nationwide strike to protest what they describe as unsafe working conditions and exploitative delivery timelines.

With the gig and platform workforce expected to grow to 2.35 crore by 2029-30, many on social media have expressed solidarity and joined the call to boycott these apps on New Year’s Eve.

“Gig Workers Strike” pic.twitter.com/SaOOvuxvDE

So, who are the workers building India’s gig economy? And why are they on strike?

Newslaundry spoke to several workers and visited a Blinkit and Bistro warehouse in central Delhi to talk about the pressures of 10-minute deliveries.

‘Not a respectable job’

Kunal is 26 years old and has been working with Blinkit for six months. He previously worked at a call centre for three years but quit due to a low salary and job insecurity.

He told Newslaundry, “It is not that there is a future here either. Even the money is not better. The only thing is that you are doing it as per your discretion, but the company only cares about their profit, not about us.”

“This is not a respectable job. When we get an order, we have to drive on a road with traffic, keep ourselves safe, and also deliver within the given time. A small mistake can cost us our lives,” he added. 

Another worker interjected to point out the behaviour even inside the cloud kitchens.

Kunal added, “Customers' behaviour with us is fine. Not everyone is bad. It's more that they don't really care about us. If a person orders from their room, they want delivery right there. They won't step out. We even deliver in hospitals now. Imagine – we have to park our bikes, find the ward, and deliver the order inside. That alone takes so much time. How can we keep delivering door-to-door like this?”

Gig workers

Most workers outside this warehouse are not participating in the strike.

When asked why, 25-year-old Himanshu said, “Only those who are part of a union participate in these strikes. There is no unity here. The situations in our homes vary. Some can afford to strike, some have to........

© newslaundry