Gig Workers Strike Over Fuel Prices: Demand 5-Hour Shutdown
Gig workers protest fuel prices, demand 5-hour shutdown of app services.
Key Highlights
Gig & Platform Service Workers Union calls for a 5-hour nationwide shutdown demanding higher pay rates and government action against surging fuel prices.
Gig Workers Union Calls for Nationwide Shutdown Over Fuel Costs
The Gig & Platform Service Workers Union (GIPSWU) has initiated a nationwide five-hour shutdown of app-based services, a strategic move to pressure digital platforms for increased kilometre-based payment rates and to seek government intervention. This action comes in direct response to the recent surge in petrol, diesel, and LPG prices, which has significantly impacted the earnings of gig and platform workers.
Fuel Price Hike Intensifies Worker Grievances
The union has urged gig and platform workers across various app-based companies to halt services from 12 PM to 5 PM today. This protest is fueled by a substantial increase in fuel prices, with oil marketing companies raising petrol and diesel rates by approximately ₹3 per litre. This marks one of the first major nationwide fuel price adjustments in nearly four years, exacerbated by ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia and resulting disruptions to global shipping routes.
Following the price hike, petrol prices in Delhi have reached approximately ₹97.77 per litre, and diesel prices have climbed to ₹90.67 per litre. The GIPSWU asserts that this increase places immense financial strain on hundreds of thousands of gig workers, particularly those in delivery services, as rising fuel costs and stagnant payout structures erode their already pressured earnings.
Demands for Fair Compensation and Legal Protection
Seema Singh, president of GIPSWU, highlighted the compounded financial burden on gig workers due to escalating fuel and LPG prices, especially during severe heatwave conditions. The union is advocating for the implementation of a central law specifically for gig workers and is demanding a minimum service rate of ₹20 per kilometre. They point out that despite continuous increases in fuel, maintenance, and transportation expenses, platform companies have largely maintained their existing payout structures, placing the disproportionate burden of operational costs onto the workers.
Citing data from NITI Aayog, the union estimates that India had approximately 7.7 million gig workers in 2020-21, a figure projected to grow to about 23.5 million by 2029-30. A significant majority of these workers are engaged in app-based services such as food delivery, grocery delivery, logistics, ride-hailing, and other platform-based operations.
Memorandums Submitted to Platforms and Authorities
In an effort to address these concerns, GIPSWU has submitted memorandums to the central government, relevant authorities, and numerous digital platforms. The union seeks an immediate revision of delivery charges, an enhancement of kilometre-based payment rates, and compensation for rising fuel expenses. This collective action aims to prevent the full weight of escalating operational costs from falling solely on the workers.
The union has formally communicated its demands to major platforms including Zomato, Swiggy, Blinkit, Zepto, Dunzo, Urban Company, Ola, Uber, Rapido, Porter, Amazon Flex, and Instamart. The proposed shutdown is intended as a peaceful demonstration to highlight the severe difficulties faced by delivery workers, drivers, and other app-based service providers due to increasing operational expenses and inadequate compensation frameworks.
History of Gig Worker Protests
This is not an isolated incident; gig worker unions have a history of organizing protests and strikes against app-based platforms. In recent years, gig workers across India have undertaken multiple strikes and shutdowns to protest against companies like Swiggy, Zomato, Blinkit, and Zepto. These movements have typically centered on issues such as low pay, algorithm-driven penalties, and unsatisfactory working conditions.
Earlier this year, GIPSWU organized a nationwide ‘online’ strike on January 26, encouraging workers to deactivate their apps in protest against alleged exploitation, low remuneration, and the lack of legal protections for gig workers. This was followed by broader nationwide protests in February, underscoring the persistent challenges and growing mobilization within the gig economy workforce.