Gig Workers To Go On Strike On Saturday: Check What Their Demands Are

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Key points generated by AI, verified by newsroom

• Gig workers protest rising fuel prices impacting earnings.
• Delivery and cab drivers demand Rs 20/km minimum rate.
• Workers face reduced savings due to increased fuel costs.

The recent increase in petrol and diesel prices has begun impacting app-based delivery and cab services across the country, with gig workers announcing a protest against rising fuel costs.

The Gig and Platform Service Workers Union said gig workers will log off from apps and stage a protest on Friday between 12 pm and 5 pm.

Delivery And Cab Workers Say Earnings Are Being Hit

The union said delivery workers and drivers are among the worst affected by the increase in fuel prices.

Millions of workers associated with companies such as Swiggy, Zomato, Blinkit, Zepto, Ola, Uber and Rapido depend entirely on bikes and scooters for their livelihoods.

According to the union, rising fuel prices are steadily reducing their daily savings.

Union Demands Rs 20 Per Kilometre Rate

The union has demanded that companies fix a minimum service rate of Rs 20 per kilometre for gig workers.

It said fuel costs rise immediately whenever petrol and diesel prices increase, but companies do not raise delivery charges or per-kilometre payments accordingly.

‘Workers Already Under Pressure’

GIPSWU president Seema Singh said delivery workers, who continue to work long hours in extreme heat, are already under pressure.

She said the increase in fuel prices has further worsened their difficulties and warned that the agitation could intensify if companies fail to take a decision on increasing payments.

Over 1.2 Crore Workers Affected

National coordinator Nirmal Gorana said there are nearly 1 crore 20 lakh gig and platform workers in the country.

These include workers linked to food delivery, grocery delivery, logistics and cab services.

He said the rise in petrol and diesel prices directly affects workers’ earnings because they have to bear fuel costs, vehicle servicing expenses and other operational costs themselves.

Union Seeks Government Intervention

The union has also urged the government to issue guidelines directing app-based companies to increase payments so that the entire burden of rising fuel prices does not fall on workers.

According to the union, Friday’s protest will remain peaceful and is aimed at highlighting the financial difficulties faced by gig workers before both the government and companies.