Gig workers’ strike on New Year’s Eve — focusing on Nirmal Gorana’s leadership and key demands:
What’s Happening:
Across India today (Dec 31, 2025), hundreds of thousands of gig economy workers --especially delivery riders and app-based service providers -have launched a nationwide strike on New Year’s Eve, one of the busiest days for food and quick-commerce deliveries.
Who’s Leading It:
The action is being coordinated by the Gig & Platform Service Workers Union (GIPSWU).
Nirmal Gorana, the union’s National Coordinator, is a prominent voice in the protest, demanding better pay, safety measures, and formal labor recognition for gig workers.
Core Demands:
Gig workers — including those on Zomato, Swiggy, Blinkit, Zepto, Amazon, and Flipkart platforms — are calling for:
1. Guaranteed minimum wage:
A fixed minimum monthly earning of around ₹40,000 instead of unstable, commission-based pay.
2. Worker recognition under labour law:They want gig workers classified as employees, not informal “partners,” to unlock basic rights.
India Today
3. Better safety and working conditions:Removal or revision of stressful features like 10-minute delivery targets, which workers say compromise safety.
4. Social security benefits:Including paid leave, insurance, compensation for cancellations, and protections for women workers.
Strike Impact and Company Response:
The strike threatens disruptions in food and grocery delivery services during peak demand . In response, companies like Zomato and Swiggy have reportedly offered higher payouts and incentives to encourage workers to stay on duty during the holidays.
Broader Context:
Gig workers in India have protested repeatedly, including actions earlier this month, over falling pay, unsafe work requirements, and lack of formal protections. Unions emphasize that without legal recognition and fair wages, India’s platform economy relies on an exploited workforce.
