### Nationwide Strike Disrupts Food Delivery Services on New Year's Eve On December 31, 2025, a significant strike involving up to 1.5 lakh delivery workers from major platforms like Zomato and Swiggy is set to disrupt services across India. This nationwide protest, organized by the Gig and Platform Service Workers Union (GIPSWU), aims to address critical issues such as inadequate wages, unsafe working conditions, and the controversial 10-minute delivery guarantees imposed by these platforms. As millions of consumers prepare for New Year's Eve celebrations, they may face substantial delays or cancellations in food and grocery deliveries due to this strike [https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/business/zomato-swiggy-face-disruptions-today-amid-gig-workers-nationwide-strike/story][https://www.latestly.com/india/news/gig-workers-strike-on-new-years-eve-2025-why-your-swiggy-zomato-and-amazon-deliveries-may-be-delayed-on-december-31-7257561.html]. ### Structure of the Response 1. **Background of the Strike** - The strike is a response to ongoing grievances regarding pay and working conditions. - It follows a similar protest that occurred on Christmas Day, indicating a growing unrest among gig workers [https://www.restaurantindia.in/news/restaurant-india-news-online-delivery-workers-to-go-on-nationwide-strike-on-december-31.n14842]. 2. **Key Demands of the Workers** - Improved wages and compensation. - Safer working conditions and job security. - Withdrawal of the 10-minute delivery guarantee, which many workers find unrealistic and unsafe [https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/attention-mumbaikars-zomato-swiggy-other-gig-workers-new-years-eve-strike-may-disrupt-food-grocery-deliveries-check-key-demands]. 3. **Impact on Consumers** - Significant delays and cancellations in food and grocery deliveries are expected, particularly affecting last-minute New Year's Eve preparations. - Major platforms like Zomato, Swiggy, Amazon, and others are likely to be impacted [https://www.mypunepulse.com/zomato-swiggy-deliveries-may-be-hit-as-gig-workers-call-nationwide-strike-on-new-years-eve]. 4. **Company Responses** - In anticipation of the strike, Zomato and Swiggy have rolled out higher incentives for delivery workers to encourage them to continue working during this peak period [https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/zomato-swiggy-offer-increased-payout-to-gig-workers-amid-strike-call-by-unions-on-new-years-eve/article70456302.ece]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Number of Workers Involved**: Approximately 150,000 delivery workers are participating in the strike [https://www.punenow.com/new-years-eve-delivery-crisis-zomato-swiggy-services-hit-as-1-5-lakh-gig-workers-strike-today]. - **Platforms Affected**: The strike impacts major delivery services including Zomato, Swiggy, Amazon, Flipkart, and others, indicating a widespread disruption across the gig economy [https://www.dynamitenews.com/national/why-swiggy-zomato-and-amazon-delivery-workers-are-striking-on-new-years-day]. - **Consumer Impact**: Millions of consumers are expected to face service gaps, particularly in urban areas where reliance on delivery services is high [https://www.etnownews.com/news/swiggy-zomato-workers-strike-disruption-on-new-years-eve-all-you-need-to-know-article-153361303]. ### Conclusion and Summary of Findings In summary, the nationwide strike by gig workers on New Year's Eve is poised to create significant disruptions in food and grocery deliveries across India. The key findings are as follows: 1. **Strike Overview**: A large-scale protest involving 1.5 lakh workers from platforms like Zomato and Swiggy is set to disrupt services on December 31, 2025. 2. **Worker Demands**: The primary demands include better wages, safer working conditions, and the removal of unrealistic delivery guarantees. 3. **Consumer Impact**: Millions may experience delays and cancellations, particularly affecting New Year's Eve celebrations. 4. **Company Strategies**: In response, Zomato and Swiggy are offering increased payouts to retain workers during this critical period. This situation highlights the ongoing tensions within the gig economy and the urgent need for reforms to address the concerns of delivery workers [https://www.indtoday.com/gig-workers-strike-disrupts-food-delivery-quick-commerce-services][https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/startup/gig-workers-call-nationwide-strike-on-december-25-31-over-pay-safety-and-social-security-13742262.html].