Explainer: Why Zomato, Swiggy and other food delivery workers went on strike

Food delivery workers affiliated with the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT) observed a nationwide strike on December 31 to protest against low pay, lack of insurance and poor working conditions, warning of service disruptions during peak hours.

The strike involved delivery agents working for food delivery and quick commerce platforms such as Zomato, Blinkit, Swiggy and others. Workers said their earnings have declined significantly over the past few years despite working long hours on the road.

Falling earnings and long working hours

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According to delivery agents, frequent changes in rate cards and incentive structures have reduced per-order earnings. Many workers said they now have to work 14 to 16 hours a day to make ends meet.

“We don’t get paid according to the amount of work we do. After working 14 hours, we are only getting Rs 700 to Rs 800,” a delivery agent told ANI.

Workers also alleged that riders are penalised even when orders are cancelled for reasons beyond their control. They said customer ratings have a direct impact on incentives, increasing pressure during deliveries.

“When we go to the customer, no matter how much trouble we are in, we have to smile and say, ‘Thank you, sir, please give us a rating.’ If an order is cancelled, the penalty falls on the rider,” the delivery agent said.

Insurance and lack of social security

Another major concern raised by workers is the absence of social security benefits, particularly insurance coverage. Delivery agents said companies do not provide adequate support in case of accidents, despite riders spending long hours on busy roads.

A worker cited the case of a rider who met with an accident in Delhi’s Barakhamba area and allegedly did not receive insurance support from the company.

“A rider had an accident at Barakhamba, and he didn’t get any insurance claim. The company asked him to make a PDF and said it would be sent to Bengaluru, but there was no response. We all contributed Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 to help him,” the worker said.

Allegations against team leaders and platform management

Workers also alleged that team leaders are often unresponsive to grievances. Some claimed that raising concerns can lead to delivery IDs being blocked, impacting their livelihood.

“After 20 or 25 calls, the team leader answers with an attitude. If you argue even a little, your ID gets blocked,” another delivery agent alleged.

As part of the strike, delivery services were reportedly halted in several areas, including parts of the Delhi region. Workers said the protest was aimed at highlighting declining earnings and rising work pressure.

“Currently, deliveries are stopped. We are not working at all today. Earlier, the company gave us benefits, but now they are taking everything back,” a worker said.

Political reaction and workers’ demands

The issue has also drawn political attention. Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha reiterated his demand to regulate quick commerce and 10-minute delivery models, claiming that such systems place excessive pressure on gig workers.

“Swiggy, Zomato delivery boys, Blinkit and Zepto riders, Ola and Uber drivers are the workforce on whose backs these companies became unicorns,” Chadha told ANI. “If there is one group under immense pressure, it is the gig workers.”

Chadha said the 10-minute delivery promise encourages reckless driving, anxiety and loss of incentives if deliveries are delayed, without providing regular worker protections. He has proposed fixed working hours to prevent workers from putting in 14–16 hours daily for incentives.

Workers participating in the strike are demanding fair wages, transparent rate cards, insurance coverage, fixed working hours and protection from arbitrary penalties. The companies have not issued a detailed response to the strike demands so far.