Archive · 8 Jan 2026
Gig Workers Strike for Better Pay and Conditions
Gig workers in India, who deliver food and groceries, went on a big strike on New Year's Eve.
They want better pay, safety, and benefits like health insurance.
Some companies say the workers are doing well and have flexible jobs.
But the workers say they are not paid enough and have to work very hard.
The government has made some new rules to help gig workers, but the workers and companies still have different opinions about what is fair.
The Karnataka government is also planning to charge companies a small fee to help pay for these benefits.
Gig workers across India went on a nationwide strike on New Year's Eve demanding better pay, safety protections, and social security.
Zomato's founder claimed the strike was not successful and that delivery numbers were at a record high despite the protest.
Workers argue they face declining earnings, uncertain income, low base pay, and lack of social security benefits.
The 10-minute delivery model has added pressure on workers to complete more deliveries in less time.
The government has notified the Code on Social Security to bring gig workers under a formal welfare framework, including health, disability, accident insurance, and old-age support.
- Who
- Gig workers, including delivery personnel, and companies like Zomato and Blinkit
- What
- A nationwide strike by gig workers demanding better pay, safety protections, and social security
- When
- New Year's Eve
- Where
- Across India
- Why
- To protest declining earnings, uncertain income, lack of social security benefits, and other issues faced by gig workers
Gig Workers
Companies
Pay and Earnings
Gig Workers
Workers argue they face declining earnings, uncertain income, and low base pay.
Companies
Zomato's founder claimed the strike was not successful and that delivery numbers were at a record high despite the protest.
Social Security
Gig Workers
Workers demand better social security benefits, including health, disability, accident insurance, and old-age support.
Companies
Companies are concerned about additional levies straining their unit economics and thin margins.
- Gig Economy Size
- 7.7 million in 2020-21, estimated to reach 23.5 million by 2029-30
- Strike Date
- New Year's Eve
- Key Union
- Indian Federation of App-based Transport Workers
- Zomato's Claim
- Over 4.5 lakh delivery workers delivered more than 7.5 million orders despite the strike
- Average Hourly Earnings
- Rs 102 in 2025, up 10.9% from Rs 92 in 2024
- Average Worker Engagement
- 38 days in 2025, averaging seven hours per working day
- Social Security Code
- Notified in 2023, bringing gig workers under a formal welfare framework
- Contribution to Social Security Fund
- 1-2% of annual turnover by aggregators, capped at 5% of the amount payable to workers
- Karnataka Welfare Fee
- 1-1.5% on a per-transaction basis for aggregator platforms
Sources
In the great gig work debate in India, why the framing of ‘flexibility’ runs into economic reality
Only 1 In 25 Users Tip Delivery Riders On Zomato, Swiggy: Report
Gig realities
Gig workers’ social security framework to go live next week in Karnataka; per-transaction levy planned
Startup Founder Who Worked As Zomato Delivery Partner Supports Gig Work: "Earned Rs 40,000 A Month"
Ex-Zomato delivery partner, now startup CEO, backs Deepinder Goyal amid gig work debate: ‘Knew riders earning Rs 90,000 a month’
Bharat Taxi’s Big Pitch Comes With Fine-Print Risks
