New Delhi: On New Year's night, when most people depend on apps to order food, order essential items, or make last-minute purchases, there is going to be a major strike of gig workers wideness the country. Not supplies apps like Zomato, but wordage platforms like Zepto, Blinkit, Swiggy, Amazon, Flipkart, and many others may be affected. The strike is stuff led by Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU) and IFAT, supported by organizations from Maharashtra, Karnataka, Delhi-NCR, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu.
Why are wordage workers going on strike?
Unions say app-based companies expect wordage partners to have long hours, low pay, unstable earnings, and unvarying monitoring. According to them, things like security, human dignity, and job stability are missing in this model. According to TGPWU President Sheikh Salauddin, 1 to 1.5 lakh workers may participate in the strike. Even during the initial strike on December 25, 50-60% of orders were delayed. He says, “25th December was just a trailer; the real picture will be seen on 31st December.”
What exactly are the workers demanding?
The union has placed five main demands surpassing the companies:
- Return to the old payment structure, which provided largest payments on festivals
- End 10-minute wordage model as it imposes unsafe pressure
- Transparency in ID blocking, the practice of latter finance without giving any reason, should be stopped.
- Review of algorithm-based tenancy as it reduces earnings and obscures incentives
- Social Security Benefits with Hearing and Complaint System
Salauddin alleges that the algorithms of the apps themselves now decide how much a worker will earn, which zone he will go to, and when he will get the work. According to him, this system is neither pearly nor does it requite telescopic for dialogue.
How could this stupefy customers?
There is a huge demand for party planning, grocery delivery, and supplies ordering on the night of 31st December. In such a situation, due to the strike:
- Delivery may victorious very late
- Prices and surge charges may increase
- There will be a possibility of order cancellation
- Worker availability may towards low on many apps
Although the companies have not yet given an official comment, the unions requirement that it will be difficult to return to work without a solution.
What happens next?
This strike is not just a question of one day's inconvenience but can moreover be the whence of a larger debate regarding the future of the gig economy in India, the condition of workers, and the responsibilities of platform companies. This action, taking place on New Year's Eve, is a warning to both the industry and the government that it is no longer possible to stave reforms.
