Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, May 16: Services of app-based cab aggregators and delivery platforms are likely to face disruptions across several cities on Saturday after the Gig and Platform Service Workers Union called for a five-hour nationwide flash strike to protest against the recent fuel price hike and stagnant payouts.
The union has urged drivers and delivery partners associated with platforms such as Uber, Ola, Rapido, Swiggy, Zomato and Blinkit to suspend services from 12 pm to 5 pm on May 16.
According to the union, the increase in petrol and diesel prices announced by oil marketing companies on Friday has sharply raised operating costs for gig workers, while incentive structures and per-kilometre payouts have remained largely unchanged.
Among the key demands raised by the workers are a revision in fare structures, fuel-linked compensation support and improved earnings for drivers and delivery personnel.
Union president Seema Singh described the fuel price increase as a “direct blow” to gig workers already working under severe heatwave conditions. She said delivery personnel associated with Swiggy, Zomato and Blinkit were struggling to cope with rising operational expenses.
Singh urged the government and digital platforms to fix a minimum service rate of Rs 20 per kilometre and warned that many workers could be forced to leave the sector if relief measures were not introduced.
National coordinator Nirmal Gorana said gig and platform workers were among the worst affected sections within India’s vast unorganised workforce. He said rising fuel, maintenance and vehicle expenses had not been matched by proportional increases in payouts by companies.
He added that women gig workers, delivery personnel and drivers often spend 10 to 14 hours daily on roads under difficult traffic and weather conditions.
State-owned oil marketing companies on Friday increased petrol and diesel prices by around Rs 3 per litre each, marking the first major nationwide retail fuel price hike in nearly four years.
Following the revision, petrol in Delhi is now priced at around Rs 97.77 per litre, while diesel costs about Rs 90.67 per litre.
The fuel price hike comes amid a sharp rise in global crude oil prices due to escalating tensions in West Asia, particularly involving Iran and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz.