The labour ministry's recent directive to ban the 10-minute delivery feature for quick-commerce companies has been hailed as a significant victory by gig worker unions. Sheikh Salauddin, general secretary of Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers and founder-president of Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union, credited the success to coordinated strikes during Christmas and New Year's Eve that highlighted unfavorable working conditions faced by platform workers.

Union Leadership Response

"This shows the strength of the workers and the workers' voice," Salauddin stated, emphasizing the effectiveness of organized labor action. He expressed gratitude to the labour minister for acknowledging worker concerns and taking decisive action. Both organizations played crucial roles in organizing and executing the holiday strikes that brought attention to delivery workers' safety and working condition issues.

Social Security Consultation Process

The union leadership is actively engaging with workers regarding the ministry's latest policy proposals. Salauddin revealed that unions are conducting extensive consultations with platform workers about the proposed 90-day annual work threshold as mandatory eligibility criteria for accessing social security benefits. This initiative falls under the new draft rules on Social Security Code 2020, published on December 31.

"As soon as we have the inputs, we'll update it on all the electronic and print media," Salauddin confirmed, highlighting the transparent approach to worker consultation.

Job Creation Debate

Addressing concerns that the ministry's directive might negatively impact employment opportunities, Salauddin firmly rejected such claims. He argued that primary responsibility for job creation lies with the government rather than private platform companies. "Who is the job creator? The government is the job creator, the responsibility should be for the government," he stated, questioning the role of individual company executives in national employment policy.

The union leader further argued that the 10-minute delivery model does not constitute healthy market competition, suggesting that quick-commerce firms should focus on offering customer discounts rather than prioritizing ultra-fast delivery timeframes that potentially compromise worker safety.

Consumer and Social Responsibility

Salauddin noted growing consumer awareness regarding gig worker welfare, with customers increasingly calling for improved safety and security measures for delivery personnel. This shift in consumer sentiment supports the union's position that sustainable business practices should prioritize worker welfare alongside service efficiency.

The successful holiday strikes and subsequent policy changes demonstrate the growing influence of organized gig worker movements in shaping platform economy regulations and working conditions across India's rapidly expanding quick-commerce sector.

A nationwide strike by gig workers commenced across India on December 31, with over 1.7 lakh delivery partners called to participate in coordinated protests against major platforms including Zomato, Swiggy, Zepto, and Amazon. However, on-ground reports reveal a mixed response, with services continuing in most areas while experiencing sporadic delays and reduced availability.

On-Ground Reality: Mixed Participation Across Cities

Consumer experiences vary significantly across different cities and platforms. In Mumbai, residents report partial disruptions with some services unavailable while others continue operating. Ali was unable to purchase groceries from Swiggy Instamart, but Zepto Cafe successfully delivered food orders. Similarly, Abhishek received his Mac and Cheese order for colleagues, though delivery took longer than usual.

In Hyderabad, residents noted visible changes on the streets. Swathi Prabhu from Hi-Tech City observed fewer delivery partners than usual, making the city feel calmer despite typically experiencing peak delivery traffic on New Year's Eve. However, Miral from another part of the city reported normal delivery operations in her area.

Platform Operations and Service Continuity

Blinkit operations are running smoothly across Delhi, Noida, Greater Noida, Greater Noida West, Gurugram, and Faridabad, with delivery times averaging 9-12 minutes according to NCR resident Daanish Anand. No significant disruptions were noted in Bengaluru, Pune, and large parts of Mumbai.

In Greater Noida, the experience appears more nuanced. Ankita, a 31-year-old resident, noted that while orders can still be placed on Blinkit and Zomato, the process of finalizing a delivery partner is taking significantly longer than usual.

Strike Background and Worker Demands

The Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT) and Telangana Gig and Platform Workers' Union (TGPWU) jointly organized this second strike, following an earlier December 25 protest. The action represents ongoing demands for legal recognition of platform workers as 'workers' under labour laws rather than 'partners'.

Workers continue to highlight concerns about ultra-fast delivery models, compensation for customer cancellations, and the removal of punitive performance metrics that impact their earnings and working conditions.

Previous Platform Responses

Prior to the strike, major delivery platforms had announced enhanced incentive packages. Zomato issued internal communications assuring no operational issues while advertising potential earnings of up to ₹3,000.00 for the day. Swiggy and Zomato had previously offered peak-hour payouts reaching up to ₹105.00 per order during prime evening hours, compared to typical earnings of around ₹25.00 per order.