In response to a significant increase in petrol and diesel prices across India, the Gig & Platform Service Workers Union (GIPSWU) has called for a five-hour nationwide shutdown of app-based gig services to press for better compensation and government intervention.
- Five-hour nationwide shutdown called for May 16 by GIPSWU
- Union demands ₹20/km minimum payment and government regulation
- Rising fuel prices severely impact gig workers’ earnings
What happened
The Gig & Platform Service Workers Union (GIPSWU) has announced a countrywide shutdown of app-based gig services lasting from 12 PM to 5 PM on May 16. This action is a direct response to the recent fuel price hikes, which saw petrol and diesel prices rise by nearly ₹3 per litre, pushing petrol prices in cities like Delhi to approximately ₹97.77 per litre. The union has called on gig workers associated with various platforms to halt their services temporarily to draw attention to their plight.
This shutdown aims to spotlight the disproportionate burden of rising operational costs on gig workers, whose kilometer-based payment rates have remained stagnant despite escalating expenses. The union has issued memorandums to major digital platforms — including Zomato, Swiggy, Blinkit, Ola, and Uber — and to government authorities, seeking urgent revisions in payment structures and legal safeguards.
Why it matters
India’s gig economy employs millions, with estimates from NITI Aayog indicating around 7.7 million workers in 2020-21 and a projected increase to 23.5 million by 2029-30. These workers, primarily engaged in food delivery, logistics, ride-hailing, and other app-based services, face mounting financial pressures as fuel and maintenance costs climb, yet compensation from platforms remains largely unchanged.
The strike underscores broader issues around the legal status and protection of gig workers in India. The union’s demand for a central law governing gig work highlights the absence of comprehensive regulatory frameworks, which leaves workers vulnerable to exploitation and economic instability. This protest follows previous nationwide strikes aimed at addressing pay, working conditions, and algorithmic management challenges faced by gig workers.
What to watch next
The response from major digital platforms and government bodies to the shutdown demand will be critical. Any commitments or negotiations on minimum payment revisions or new legal protections could set important precedents for the gig economy. Stakeholders will be closely watching whether platform companies agree to compensate for rising costs or if the government will introduce legislation to formally recognize and protect gig workers.
Additionally, the scale and effectiveness of the strike itself will signal the strength of gig worker organization in India. Continued mobilizations may influence policy debates and corporate strategies around worker compensation, algorithmic transparency, and labor rights. The unfolding situation could also impact user experiences on delivery and ride-hailing apps during and after the shutdown.