Gig Workers Plan Strike Demanding Increased Pay Amid Rising Costs

Gig workers across India are set to strike on Saturday, demanding a minimum fare of ₹20 per kilometer due to rising fuel costs and living expenses. This protest is expected to disrupt food delivery services, affecting millions of customers. The workers, reliant on companies like Swiggy and Zomato, are urging for better pay and working conditions. With the current economic pressures, the union warns that if their demands are not met, the protests could intensify. Learn more about the implications of this strike and the workers' plight in the full article.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 15, 2026, 20:09 IST

Gig Workers to Strike for Fair Wages

On Saturday, gig workers will participate in a strike from noon until 5 PM, advocating for a new fare of ₹20 per kilometer. This action is expected to disrupt food delivery services across various cities. The workers are calling for a revised payment structure that includes a minimum fare of ₹20 per kilometer. They argue that the current earnings have become unfeasible due to soaring fuel prices and rising daily expenses. The workers have urged aggregator companies to provide better wages and improved working conditions for delivery partners and drivers.

Impact on Food Delivery Services

The strike is likely to affect food delivery services significantly, as many workers are expected to join the protest. Customers may experience delays in deliveries or a reduction in service availability. Millions of employees associated with companies like Swiggy, Zomato, Blinkit, Zepto, Ola, Uber, and Rapido rely heavily on bicycles and scooters for their livelihoods. According to the union, the increasing fuel costs are continuously eroding their daily savings.

Union Demands Minimum Service Rate

The union has demanded that companies establish a minimum service rate of ₹20 per kilometer for gig workers. They pointed out that while fuel prices rise, the delivery charges or per-kilometer payments do not increase proportionately. Seema Singh, president of GIPSWU, highlighted that delivery workers are already under pressure due to long hours in extreme heat. She warned that if companies do not take action to raise payments, the protests could escalate.

Statistics on Gig Workers

Nirmal Gorana, the national coordinator, revealed that there are approximately 12 million gig and platform workers in the country, including those involved in food delivery, grocery delivery, logistics, and cab services.