‘15-16 ghante kaam karte hain, paisa nahi milta’: Swiggy, Zomato and Blinkit delivery partners on nationwide strike

Platform workers from companies like Swiggy, Zomato, Zepto, and Amazon are holding a nationwide strike on Wednesday, organised by the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT).

Why are delivery agents on strike

Workers cite low pay and a lack of company-provided insurance as their primary concerns. Many argue that the “rate card”, the fixed payment schedule for deliveries, no longer covers their costs.

One agent shared the daily pressure of the job. “No matter how much trouble we're in, we smile and ask for a rating,” he told ANI. He said that if an order is cancelled, the rider often pays the penalty. “We work 14 hours a day, yet we don't get paid fairly for that effort.”

Another food delivery agent pointed out that they don't get insurance claims. He said, “Initially, the rate card was fine, but now they have changed it, causing difficulties and problems for all the riders.”

He said that they don't even get insurance claims. A rider recently had an accident at Barakhamba, and he didn't receive any claim, the agent said. “Our team leader and senior company officials told him to create a PDF, which they would send to Bangalore... There was no response from there.”

“We all chipped in ₹1000-2000 to help that rider. Now that guy is working even at night, taking orders at 1 or 2 AM... The TL never answers the phone. After 20 or 25 calls, the TL answers with an attitude. And if you argue with him even a little, he blocks your ID... After working 14 hours, we're only getting ₹700-800... Today, there's a strike all over Delhi,” he added.

A food delivery agent said, “Currently, deliveries are stopped... We heard there's a strike, so we're not working at all... We are grateful that the company gave us a lot in the beginning. But now, they are taking back everything they gave... Other companies offer promotions, but here, we're only getting demotions... We have to work 15-16 hours to make ends meet...”

Gig Workers Union President urges Centre to intervene

Shaik Salauddin, President of the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU), is leading the call for change. He has called for the removal of the 10-minute delivery option from all platforms and the reinstatement of the previous payout structure, ANI reported.

“We had called for a strike on the 25th and 31st, and on the 25th, 40 thousand workers across India came out in support of it... We are ready to discuss and talk about it... We request the state and central government also to interfere in this...,” Salauddin told ANI.

Claiming growing support, Salauddin said over 1.5 lakh workers across India are backing the movement, with more expected to join. He also alleged that companies are using bouncers to intimidate workers and block the accounts of strike leaders. “This kind of pressure will not work,” he stated.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Raghav Chadha has also called for a ban on 10-minute delivery apps. He argues these services exploit workers to boost company valuations.

“In today's time, Swiggy Zomato delivery boys, Blinkit Zepto riders, Ola Uber drivers, are a workforce on the back of which these big companies have become unicorns; they have got billion-dollar valuations. In this entire ecosystem that has been created, if there's one group of people who are oppressed and under immense pressure, it's the gig workers,” the AAP MP said during an exclusive interview with ANI.

Under the 10-minute delivery guarantee, a gig worker who drives recklessly, becomes increasingly anxious, risks losing incentives, and faces customer abuse if the delivery is late, while not receiving any regular worker protections, Chadha said.

As part of improving working conditions and rights for workers, Chadha has proposed setting working hours for gig workers to end the practice of people working 14-16 hours a day for incentives.

(With inputs from agencies)