New Year’s Eve Delivery Crisis: Zomato, Swiggy Services Hit as 1.5 Lakh Gig Workers Strike Today

Planning to order in for your New Year’s Eve bash tonight? You might want to have a ‘Plan B’ ready, as your favorite food and grocery apps face a massive nationwide shutdown.

PUNE – Residents in Pune, Mumbai, and other major Indian metros are bracing for significant service disruptions today, December 31, 2025. Over 1.5 lakh gig workers across platforms like Zomato, Swiggy, Blinkit, and Zepto have officially logged off as part of a nationwide strike, demanding better pay, social security, and an end to “killer” delivery timelines.

The ‘New Year Shutdown’: Why Deliveries are Stalled

The strike, organized by the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT) and the Gig and Platform Service Workers Union (GIPSWU), is timed to hit during the year’s highest-demand window. Following a “warning strike” on Christmas Day that saw a 50-60% drop in order fulfillment in some pockets, unions have escalated their protest to demand immediate government intervention.

“We are not slaves to an algorithm,” stated Shaik Salauddin, National General Secretary of IFAT. The unions have submitted a 15-point charter of demands to Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, seeking a legal reclassification from ‘partners’ to ‘workers’ to access basic labor rights.

Key Demands: Wages, Safety, and the 10-Minute Model

The primary friction point remains the 10-minute delivery model popularized by quick-commerce giants like Blinkit and Zepto. Workers argue these ultra-fast targets force them to take life-threatening risks on congested roads.

The workers’ central demands include:

• Minimum Wage: A guaranteed per-kilometer rate of ₹20 and a monthly minimum income of ₹24,000 to ₹40,000.
• Scrapping Fast Delivery: An immediate ban on 10-20 minute delivery mandates.
• Social Security: Implementation of health insurance, accident cover, and maternity benefits for women gig workers.
• Ending Arbitrary Bans: A transparent process for “ID blocking,” which currently sees riders deactivated by AI bots without human review.

Zomato and Swiggy Fight Back with Bonuses and Stars

To counter the strike, the platforms have launched a multi-crore “stay-online” campaign. Zomato has deployed ads featuring Tamannaah Bhatia, promising riders earnings of up to ₹6,000–₹10,000 for working through the festive peak.

Meanwhile, Swiggy has enlisted Amitabh Bachchan for a campaign offering lucky draws for Electric Vehicles (EVs) to riders who complete high volumes tonight. Beyond incentives, Zomato has reportedly stationed “Quick Response Teams” and bouncers in high-density areas like Pune and Hyderabad to ensure “willing workers” aren’t stopped by protesters.

Impact on Pune and Consumers

In Pune, areas like Baner, Koregaon Park, and Viman Nagar, hubs for New Year celebrations, are expected to see the highest impact. While the companies claim operations remain “business as usual,” industry analysts at Elara Capital suggest a 10-20% decline in order volumes in southern and western markets.

For consumers, this means “Service Unavailable” messages, skyrocketing surge fees, and delivery wait times potentially stretching over 90 minutes.

The Road Ahead for the Gig Economy

This New Year’s Eve strike marks a tipping point for India’s gig economy. With states like Karnataka and Rajasthan already moving toward gig worker welfare legislation, the pressure is mounting on the Central Government to create a national framework that balances rapid consumer convenience with worker dignity.

For more live updates on Pune, visit our Pune News Today page.