Gig workers call 5-hour nationwide shutdown over fuel price hike
The Gig & Platform Service Workers Union has called for a five-hour nationwide shutdown of app-based transport and delivery services on Saturday in protest against the recent fuel price hike and low payout structures for gig workers.
The protest, scheduled from 12 pm to 5 pm, is expected to impact ride-hailing, food delivery and quick commerce platforms, including Swiggy, Zomato, Uber, Ola and Blinkit.
According to the union, the recent increase in petrol and diesel prices has sharply raised operational costs for delivery partners and drivers who depend on two-wheelers and private vehicles for daily work. The organisation said nearly 1.2 crore gig workers across India could be directly affected by the fuel price rise.
The union is demanding a minimum payment of Rs 20 per kilometre, fuel-linked compensation support and a revision in fare structures to help workers cope with rising expenses.
The protest follows the Centre’s decision to increase petrol and diesel prices by around Rs 3 per litre amid rising global crude oil prices and supply disruptions linked to tensions in West Asia and the Strait of Hormuz situation.
Worker groups warned that stagnant payouts and increasing fuel costs could trigger large-scale migration away from gig platforms if corrective measures are not introduced soon.
