Zomato and Swiggy face delivery strike escalation as platform workers push for higher per-km pay

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Synopsis

Delivery workers plan to extend their strike through December 31, pressing Zomato and Swiggy on pay, safety, and speed mandates.

Article

India’s two largest food delivery platforms, Zomato and Swiggy, are in focus as platform workers announced plans to extend their ongoing strike through December 31. The protest centres on demands for a minimum payout of ₹20 per kilometre, an end to 10-minute delivery commitments, and greater income predictability.

The strike comes at a critical year-end period for both platforms, when order volumes typically rise due to holidays and promotional activity. Workers argue that incentive-linked pay structures and rapid delivery promises are increasing pressure without commensurate compensation. According to worker representatives, earnings per delivery have declined even as distances and turnaround expectations have increased.

A representative from the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union said the demand is rooted in sustainability, not disruption. “Fast delivery targets force riders to take risks on the road, while per-order payouts continue to fall. A per-kilometre floor is essential for safety and fair earnings,” the union stated, as reported by multiple local outlets.

Industry data underscores the scale of the issue. Zomato and Swiggy together rely on more than one million active delivery partners nationwide, according to disclosures and industry estimates. Even limited participation in coordinated strikes can disrupt fulfilment times, customer experience, and merchant revenues, especially in high-density urban markets.

For the platforms, the standoff highlights a growing tension between speed-led differentiation and workforce sustainability. Ultra-fast delivery has become a competitive lever in food and quick commerce, but it also raises operational and reputational risks when labour concerns escalate into public action.

While both companies have previously said they remain open to dialogue with delivery partners, no formal resolution has been announced so far. If the strike continues, it could prompt renewed scrutiny of gig work models and accelerate calls for clearer regulatory standards around pay and working conditions.