Gig and platform worker unions announced a strike on Wednesday, December 31, 2025. They protest against their “systemic exclusion from core labour entitlements.” The Gig and Platform Services Workers Union (GIPSWU) alerted Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya in a letter. The letter asked for immediate government action to stop the exploitation of workers in food delivery and taxi services. The unions highlighted a nationwide delivery workers’ strike on December 25. They called it a warning about India’s growth risks if workers’ problems stay ignored. “Gig workers continue to face systemic exclusion from core labour entitlements under Indian law and constitutional guarantees,” the letter said. The unions also noted “harassment, discrimination, and violence against workers.” The unions demanded an end to ‘10-20-minute delivery mandates’ to protect worker safety. They want fixed minimum rates of ₹20 per kilometer for platforms like Zomato, Swiggy, Blinkit, Zepto, Flipkart, and BigBasket. They also called for workplace safety for women, emergency leave, maternity protection, and a minimum monthly income guarantee of ₹40,000. Other demands include stopping automatic credit deductions or capping them at 20%, compensation for customer cancellations, and exclusion from unfair performance ratings. The unions want AI calls replaced by 24/7 human customer support and legal recognition of platform workers as “workers,” not “partners.” Shaik Salauddin, founder president of Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union, said platforms punish workers who speak up with ID blocking, threats, police intimidation, and algorithmic penalties. He called it “modern-day exploitation.” He urged the government to regulate platforms, stop victimisation, and ensure fair wages and safety. He added, “The gig economy cannot be built on the broken bodies and silenced voices of workers.”