Gig and Platform Service Workers Union (GIPSWU) has taken a major step to unite millions of delivery partners, ride-hailing drivers and other app-based workers across the country. The union has called for an online strike across the country on January 26, 2026, in which workers will protest by closing their apps. After this, there will be nationwide physical demonstrations on the streets in various cities on 3 February.
Women gig workers will lead the movement
The special thing is that this movement will be led by women gig workers. National president of the union, Seema Singh, said that women are being exploited the most in the platform economy. Many women workers are paid less after providing service, face harassment, and when they complain to the company, the AI ​​system simply passes the time. Ultimately their ID is blocked and employment is taken away. Many videos are going viral on social media, but the government is silent.
Zomato terminates thousands of workers every month
The union alleges that platforms like Zomato terminate more than 5,000 workers every month. The biggest example of this is the workers of Urban Company, who want to talk to the media but hide their faces due to fear. Is this not a violation of fundamental rights? The workers are working under compulsion, yet their voices are being suppressed.
Seema Singh said that the union gave memorandums to the Ministry of Labor and Employment several times, but no concrete action was taken. Recently, Minister Mansukh Mandaviya had talked about stopping 10-minute instant delivery, but no written order or notification came. The government only talks, but is silent on the real problems of gig workers – ID blocking, security, worker status.
What are the main complaints of the workers?
Arbitrary ID blocking and unfair rating system
Continuous reduction in income, increase in commission and lack of transparency.
Workers not getting a chance to clarify customer complaints
Systems like double cancellation penalty, time cap, bundled booking and auto-assign
Lack of security for women, demand for menstrual leave and ‘red button’ emergency feature
Not taking any advice from workers before new policy or change
Major demands of the union
A separate strong central law should be made for gig and platform workers.
Immediate stop to arbitrary ID blocking and unfair ratings
Increase in income rates, curb on commission cuts
Internal complaint committees to prevent sexual harassment of women at workplace
Transparent grievance redressal mechanism and worker-friendly policies
GIPSWU appeals to all gig workers
GIPSWU has appealed to all gig workers, whether associated with Zomato, Swiggy, Urban Company, Ola, Uber or any other platform, to unite by closing the apps on 26 January and taking to the streets on 3 February. Also sought support from MPs, other trade unions, women’s organizations and the general public. This is not just our fight, it is a fight for the dignity and security of workers in the entire digital economy. If our demands are not accepted, there will be bigger movements in the future.
