Swiggy, Zomato, Blinkit workers on strike today: What users should expect on December 31

New Year’s Eve deliveries across India could be hit as thousands of delivery partners working with major food and grocery apps, quick-commerce, and e-commerce platforms plan a nationwide strike on December 31, 2025 (Wednesday).

Delivery partners associated with platforms including Swiggy, Blinkit, Zomato, Zepto, Amazon, and Flipkart are expected to log off their apps or limit work during the day, reported news agency IANS. The move is likely to lead to delays, cancellations, and patchy service on what is usually one of the busiest days for online orders.

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The protest has been called by the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union and the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers, with support from several regional collectives. Unions said workers from Delhi-NCR, Maharashtra, Karnataka, West Bengal and parts of Tamil Nadu are expected to participate.

December 31 typically sees a sharp surge in demand for food delivery, groceries and online shopping, driven by celebrations and year-end sales. Analysts say any large-scale slowdown in last-mile delivery could affect retailers, restaurants, and platforms that rely heavily on app-based logistics to meet peak-day demand.

Union representatives say the strike reflects mounting anger over falling earnings, longer working hours and the lack of basic labour safeguards. Workers have complained about shrinking payouts per order and a lack of insurance cover, besides unsafe working conditions and penalties imposed through automated systems. Many also complain of job insecurity despite being labelled “partners” by platform companies.

The organisers said the protest is aimed at pushing platforms to address structural issues rather than targeting customers. They have urged companies to open talks on fairer pay models, social security benefits and clearer, more transparent work policies.

Talking about the strike, TGPWU founder and president Shaik Salauddin on Tuesday said: “… We kept five demands before the platform companies. First, they should restore the old payout system for workers. Second, the 10‑minute delivery should be removed from the platform. Third, they are blocking IDs without any reason or transparency. Fourth, the algorithms are negatively affecting workers’ incentives. Finally, we demand social security for workers. We have therefore called for a flash strike on 31st December…”

Customers in major cities, including Delhi, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Pune, and Kolkata, are likely to face longer wait times and limited delivery availability through the day, the unions warned.