Delivery Partner Strike on December 31 Hits New Year’s Eve Order

Delivery partner strike on December 31

A nationwide strike by delivery partners on 31 December is expected to disrupt food, grocery and e-commerce deliveries across several Indian cities,

as gig workers associated with major platforms plan to stay off the roads on one of the busiest days of the year.

Delivery partners linked to companies such as Swiggy, Zomato, Blinkit, Zepto, Amazon and Flipkart have announced the strike to protest issues related to earnings, work pressure and lack of social security.

Worker groups said the action follows an earlier protest on 25 December, which led to delivery delays and reduced order fulfilment in parts of the country.

Strike Call and Key Issues

Platform worker unions and regional collectives, including the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT),

said delivery partners across Delhi-NCR, Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka and West Bengal are expected to participate in the strike.

According to union representatives, delivery partners have raised concerns over declining per-order payouts,

frequent changes in incentive structures and rising operating costs.

Workers said unpredictable earnings make it difficult to maintain stable incomes,

particularly for those who depend entirely on app-based delivery work.

Delivery partners also cited increased pressure from algorithm-driven delivery systems.

The expansion of ultra-fast delivery models has shortened delivery timelines, increasing workload intensity and road safety risks.

Workers said missed targets can affect incentives and future order allocation.

In addition, delivery partners have flagged the absence of comprehensive social security benefits.

Most gig workers operate as independent contractors and do not receive paid leave, provident fund contributions or pension coverage.

Workers also raised concerns about limited accident insurance and medical support.

Another issue highlighted by unions involves account deactivations. Delivery partners alleged that platforms sometimes suspend or block accounts without clear explanations, restricting access to work.

High Demand on December 31

New Year’s Eve typically records a sharp rise in food, grocery and quick-commerce orders, especially during evening and late-night hours.

Platforms usually deploy additional delivery partners and incentive schemes to meet increased demand on December 31.

A coordinated strike on this date could affect order fulfilment, particularly in urban centres where demand peaks within a short time window.

Restaurants, dark stores and e-commerce sellers may also face operational challenges if rider availability declines.

Industry observers said even partial participation in the strike could lead to longer delivery times and limited service availability in some areas.

Likely Impact on Services

Consumers in major cities may experience delivery delays, reduced slot availability or temporary service disruptions if the strike sees wide participation.

Delivery charges could increase if platforms introduce surge pricing or special incentives to attract active riders.

The impact is expected to vary across locations. Larger metropolitan areas with higher rider density may see limited disruption,

while smaller cities could face more noticeable slowdowns.

In previous labour actions, delivery platforms have responded by offering short-term incentives,

encouraging inactive partners to log in and redistributing orders across nearby zones.

Companies have not issued detailed public statements on operational plans for December 31.

Growing Focus on Gig Work Conditions

The planned strike comes amid increased scrutiny of working conditions in India’s gig economy.

App-based delivery services have expanded rapidly, employing millions of workers across the country.

At the same time, discussions around minimum wages, insurance and social security for gig workers remain ongoing.

Labour experts note that repeated protests highlight unresolved issues between platforms and delivery partners.

The December 31 strike adds to a series of actions by gig workers seeking policy-level changes and clearer protections.

situation to watch

The extent of participation in the strike remains uncertain,

as some delivery partners may continue working due to financial considerations and platform incentives.

Actual disruption levels will become clearer as New Year’s Eve progresses.

For consumers and businesses, the strike presents a potential operational challenge on a high-demand day.

For the gig economy, it underscores ongoing negotiations around pay structures, safety and worker protections.

(Delivery partner strike on December 31)

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Meghna Bhardwaj

No Food, No Groceries? Delivery Partners’ Strike Threatens New Year’s Eve Convenience