Gig Workers’ Strike Ignites Debate Over 10-Minute Delivery Models
A nationwide strike by app-based delivery partners on December 31, 2025, has reignited a fierce debate over the safety and ethics of the “quick commerce” industry.
While millions of Indians celebrated the New Year with record-breaking orders, over 200,000 gig workers across major metros including Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru logged off their apps to protest what they call the “algorithm of anxiety”—the 10-minute delivery promise.
The strike, organized by the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT) and the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU), centers on a demand for an immediate ban on the 10-minute marketing hook used by platforms like Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart, and Zepto.
The “Instant” Conflict: Efficiency vs. Safety
The core of the dispute lies in the physical and psychological toll of ultra-fast delivery.
Union leaders argue that the 10-minute window creates an environment where traffic violations become a necessity for survival.
“Trying to meet a 10-minute deadline on traffic-clogged city streets is inherently unsafe,” said Shaik Salauddin, founder-president of TGPWU.
He noted that the pressure leads to a spike in road accidents, mental exhaustion, and “shadow-banning” for riders who fail to maintain high speed.
However, Zomato and Blinkit CEO Deepinder Goyal has consistently defended the model.
Following the strike, Deepinder clarified that the speed is enabled by store density, not rider speed.
According to company data, workers pick a typical Blinkit order in 2.5 minutes, leaving 7.5 minutes for a 1.5-kilometer journey—an average speed of just 15 km/h.
“Delivery partners don’t even have a timer on their app,” Deepinder stated, arguing that the system is built on “complex design,” not exploitation.
Workers’ Strike and Regulatory Crossroads: Social Security in 2026
The strike coincides with a pivotal moment in Indian labor law.
In late 2025, the central government notified four landmark labor codes, formally recognizing gig workers under a regulatory framework for the first time.
| Key Demand | Current Status (Jan 2026) | Government/Corporate Stance |
| Ban on 10-min Delivery | Unions claim 60% of riders face safety risks. | Companies argue it’s a “proximity” model, not a “speed” model. |
| Social Security | Draft rules propose benefits for 90-day active workers. | Aggregators propose a 5% cap on contributions to welfare funds. |
| Minimum Wage | Earnings vary between ₹20,000–₹40,000/month. | Platforms argue flexibility prevents a fixed “minimum wage” structure. |
| Transparency | Unions demand “Explainable AI” for order allocation. | Companies defend algorithmic autonomy for operational efficiency. |
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