Gig Workers Unite: Nationwide Strike Planned for New Year's Eve Amid Safety and Pay Concerns
Image Source: Internet
A coordinated nationwide strike is set to take place on New Year's Eve, as gig and platform workers from top e-commerce companies like Swiggy, Zomato, and Amazon plan to protest over pay, safety, and working conditions. The strike has been called by the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers and the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union, affecting companies such as Zepto, Blinkit, and Flipkart. The protest comes after a similar strike on Christmas Day caused significant disruptions in parts of Gurugram, while Delhi and Noida saw limited impact. The gig workers are demanding better working conditions, including income security, fair pay, and comprehensive social security benefits. Key demands include: - A fair and transparent pay structure, with a minimum rate of ₹20 per km for ride-hailing drivers. - An eight-hour working day with overtime pay for extended hours. - Comprehensive social security benefits, including functional insurance for accidents, illness, or emergencies. - Withdrawal of "10-minute delivery" service models, which workers say encourage unsafe driving and endanger lives. - Safer working conditions, including restrictions on late-night deliveries during high-risk periods like winter fog. The Christmas Day strike was most visible in Gurugram, where residents reported long delays in food deliveries. Workers also alleged retaliation by platform management, with some reporting their rate cards being deleted from the app after participating in the protests. The nationwide strike is expected to impact service delivery across the country, with workers from various companies planning to take part. The strike aims to bring attention to the concerns of gig workers and push for better working conditions and pay.
