On December 31, 2025, thousands of gig workers across India planned a nationwide strike to protest low pay, poor job security, and unsafe working conditions in the quick commerce and delivery sector. Workers from major platforms like Zomato, Swiggy, Zepto, and Blinkit were expected to log off and halt services during a busy holiday period.
Despite widespread talk of disruption, the quick commerce industry largely kept running. Major platforms reported high delivery volumes and smooth operations, even on New Year’s Eve. Zomato and its quick commerce arm Blinkit said they delivered over 75 lakh orders, a record high for the company on that day. Swiggy and other platforms also said their operations remained robust with large numbers of delivery partners still working.
In cities like Kolkata, striking calls had little effect because many delivery agents chose to work, drawn by high demand and incentives. The minimal slowdown showed that while workers voiced strong concerns, the industry’s delivery networks remained resilient during the peak season.
Why Workers Struck and the Wider Debate
Gig workers united around several demands, including higher and more predictable pay, better safety measures, more transparent payout systems, and an end to the pressure of ultra-fast delivery models such as 10-minute delivery. Unions argued that rushing deliveries increases stress and risks for riders. The strike revived a broader conversation about how the quick commerce business model depends on a large frontline workforce whose welfare many feel is ignored.
Some workers and advocates said the strike showed just how much riders are expected to perform under tight targets without adequate protections. Despite the strong rhetoric around the strike, many customers still received orders quickly, which has led some analysts to say the protest had limited real impact on services during peak demand. That has sparked debate in social media and business circles: some see the strike as a necessary wake-up call, while others question its effectiveness without broader sustained action.
Reactions from Company Founders and What Comes Next
Founders and leaders of quick commerce and delivery platforms responded publicly to the strike and accompanying discussions. Deepinder Goyal, founder and CEO of Zomato and parent company Eternal, defended the quick commerce model and gig economy on social media. He highlighted strong delivery numbers on December 31st and pushed back against the idea that workers are exploited under current systems.
Goyal also shared data suggesting delivery partners’ average earnings had grown and noted the flexibility of gig work as a key feature of the model. His posts drew both support and criticism. Some entrepreneurs backed his comments, saying corporate boards actively consider worker welfare. Others, including delivery worker unions, rejected his claims, arguing that earnings figures do not reflect real take-home pay after expenses and that basic protections are still missing.
The debate has now spread beyond corporate circles into politics. Raghav Chadha platform companies for their stance and urged better treatment of gig workers.
What does the strike mean for the future
Although the December 31 strike did not materially disrupt quick commerce deliveries, it succeeded in drawing attention to longstanding issues. Many believe that sustainable growth in the fast-delivery sector will depend on addressing worker concerns through clearer pay structures, stronger safety measures, and perhaps engagement with regulators on gig worker rights. The quick commerce industry may have breezed through the holiday rush this time, but the tensions between rapid delivery expectations and worker welfare are likely to remain at the center of future debates.
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