Mumbai: With demand expected to peak on December 31, food delivery and quick commerce platforms have rolled out enhanced incentives to ensure service continuity amid the strike call by the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers' Union (TGPWU) and the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT).
Zomato has offered delivery partners payouts ranging from ₹120 to ₹150 per order during peak hours between 6 pm and 12 am on New Year’s Eve. The company has also indicated that delivery partners could earn up to ₹3,000 over the course of the day, depending on order volumes and availability. In addition, penalties on order denials and cancellations have been temporarily waived, a move the company maintains is part of its standard operating protocol during high-demand festive and year-end periods.
Swiggy, meanwhile, has also raised incentives for the year-end rush. According to people aware of the development, the platform is offering delivery partners the opportunity to earn up to ₹10,000 across December 31 and January 1. For New Year’s Eve specifically, Swiggy is advertising peak-hour earnings of up to ₹2,000 during the six-hour window from 6 pm to midnight to ensure adequate rider availability during one of the busiest ordering periods of the year.
Despite these measures, gig workers’ unions have reiterated their call for a nationwide strike. In a joint statement, TGPWU and IFAT said over 1.7 lakh delivery and app-based workers across India had already confirmed participation, with numbers expected to rise further by the evening. The strike is expected to impact food delivery and quick commerce services, including Zomato, Swiggy, Blinkit, Instamart and Zepto, at a time when demand is at its highest.
The unions said the strike follows a major walkout on December 25, when thousands of delivery workers reportedly logged off platforms across Telangana and other regions. According to the joint statement, gig workers have now announced an escalated nationwide strike on December 31, 2025, citing the lack of rollback on reduced payouts, absence of dialogue, and no concrete assurances on safety or working hours.
Separately, the Gig and Platform Service Workers Union has also called for a nationwide shutdown on December 31, urging gig and platform workers, including app-based workers and online freelancers, to log off all work-related applications and abstain from providing services to collectively press for rights, welfare and dignity across the sector.