Delivery riders from Swiggy, Zomato, Blinkit, and other platforms have called a strike on New Year’s Eve, one of the busiest nights for food delivery. Unions claim over 1.7 lakh workers joined the protest by evening, following a similar nationwide action on Christmas Day. Despite bonus offers like ₹120–150 extra per order from Zomato and earning promises of up to ₹3,000 from Swiggy, riders say their demands go beyond money. They want fair pay, better working conditions, and job security. This article explains why gig workers are striking, which cities will be most affected, and whether customers can still place food and grocery orders tonight.
Why Gig Workers Call Swiggy Zomato NYE Strike
Gig workers that deliver with Swiggy and Zomato have faced difficult times in recent years due to low pay rates combined with increasing order volumes during COVID-19 Pandemic. They have been forced to work in extreme weather (snow, rain, and with limited visibility); in addition to dealing with dense traffic over the course of an entire shift without taking breaks to conserve energy. The current delivery guidelines for “10-minute delivery” require riders to put forth extreme effort to achieve these delivery times, this places riders in a dangerous situation. Platform contracting companies have also manifested negative employability or civil status for many gig workers based on their previously increasing earnings (using no other rationale other than personal bias). After the successful strike by gig workers during Christmas, trade Unions for App-Based Workers commenced a larger effort comprised of the Gig Workers Union of Telangana State and the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers to demand dignity and financial security from delivery platform companies.
🚨Food, grocery, and e-commerce deliveries may see delays on December 31 as gig workers across India have announced a nationwide strike.
— Fortune India (@FortuneIndia) December 30, 2025
The protest, called by worker unions, involves delivery partners from platforms such as Swiggy, Zomato, Zepto, Blinkit, Amazon, and Flipkart,… pic.twitter.com/Lro0gw74s3
What Swiggy & Zomato Delivery Workers Are Demanding
Union members created a list of 10 demands, the first demand being “increase pay per Rs 20/km + Rs 40,000 monthly guarantee to alleviate the extreme stress placed on gig delivery riders to perform under impossible time constraints that often lead to accidents; additionally they have demanded:
- Provide health insurance coverage for all
- Provide protective equipment (such as full protective jackets and helmets) for all
- Eliminate unfair platform blocking of riders without cause, and eliminate unfair manipulation of assignment sharing amongst riders by gig delivery platforms
- Provide fixed hours, rest periods between shifts, and scheduled rest time
- Declare to all governing authorities that gig delivery platform companies must implement laws and establish pension funds. Trade unions place emphasis on dignity, not just financial incentives.
Cities Facing Major Swiggy Zomato NYE Strike Impact
These spots see strong union turnout from past protests, leading to delays or no deliveries tonight.
- Hyderabad: High participation from Telangana Gig Workers Union; expect patchy food drops and quick commerce slowdowns after 6 pm.
- Bengaluru: 50-60% service halt like Christmas strike; riders log off for peak hours, hitting party orders hard.
- Delhi-NCR: Disruptions in food apps early evening; quick services like Blinkit face issues in busy areas.
- Pune: Major impact with thousands joining; users report longer waits or order failures.
- Kolkata: Unions strong here; midnight biryani or pizza deliveries likely delayed.
- Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar: Smaller city but heavy protest; local eatery apps struggle.
- Recheck your delivery app for live updates before ordering tonight.
Cities with Minimal or No Gig Workers Strike Disruption
Extra incentives from Zomato and Swiggy pull enough riders; services run smooth even late.
- Mumbai: Orders flow normally through night; users got groceries post-midnight without hiccups.
- Surat: Quick commerce fine all day; food apps recovered by afternoon with bonuses.
- Bhopal: Street activity looks regular; no big slowdown noticed yet.
- Chennai: Lighter union presence; platforms report full coverage via old accounts.
- Tier-2/3 Towns: Low organized protests; rural or small areas stay unaffected.
Zomato Swiggy Response to Gig Workers Protest
Zomato boosted peak hour rates to pull riders back, Zomato has elevated its Peak Times payment range that is based on completion of Orders (₹3,000 Daily) while Swiggy has also offered a Bonus Rate for Festivals on busy Nights. Both are adamant that they are invested in finding solutions for their riders, but both Unions are saying that what both companies are doing is a short- term solution to their problem. There has not been any discussion regarding either the implementation of Insurance or providing a fair algorithm. While some customers receive a varying level of service through these Apps, Zomato and Swiggy are indicating that they are encouraging Riders to sign up to earn High tonight. On the other hand, the Strike Leaders believe that Money will not alleviate the Daily Struggles faced by Riders.
What Gig Workers NYE Strike Means for Customers
Without deliveries there won’t be late-night food for parties so Families may need to cook at Home or get take-out from local Restaurants. Groceries and Medicine deliveries may also be impacted. The Apps may have Less Riders Available or Higher Prices. Customers should plan to Pre-Order prior to 6 PM if they want to have Bulk Orders delivered in time for New Year's Eve parties. This Issue brings to Light the Life of a Gig Worker – Flexible Jobs with no Safety Net. It will help ensure better Practices in our Fast evolving Economy in India.
Government Role in Gig Workers Rights India
Unions ask Centre and states to regulate platforms now. Push for social security like pensions and accident aid. Some states eye minimum wage laws for app jobs. National code for gig work in works. Strike spotlights need for quick action amid growth
