Gig Workers Call Nationwide Service Shutdown, Demand Rs 20/km Pay Amid Fuel Price Hike

New Delhi, May 2026 : The Gig & Platform Service Workers Union (GIPSWU) has called for a nationwide temporary shutdown of app-based services on Saturday between 12 pm and 5 pm, intensifying its protest against rising fuel prices and demanding a minimum payment structure for delivery and transport workers.

In its statement, the union said the recent hike in petrol and diesel prices would significantly increase the financial burden on gig workers engaged in food delivery, ride-hailing, logistics, and other app-based platforms. The union has demanded a minimum earning rate of Rs 20 per kilometre for workers to offset rising operational costs.

According to GIPSWU, nearly 1.2 crore gig and platform workers across the country are expected to be directly impacted by the latest increase in fuel prices, which has already strained earnings in an industry heavily dependent on two-wheelers and fuel-intensive transport.

The union’s call for a shutdown comes after oil marketing companies recently raised petrol and diesel prices by around Rs 3 per litre. This marks the first major nationwide fuel price revision in nearly four years, adding fresh pressure on workers already coping with rising inflation and stagnant wages.

GIPSWU attributed the hike to surging global crude oil prices and continued instability in international energy markets, driven by ongoing tensions in West Asia. The union said these external shocks are now directly affecting workers at the lowest level of the platform economy.

GIPSWU President Seema Singh said the combined impact of higher fuel prices and increased LPG cylinder costs has worsened the financial condition of gig workers. She warned that many workers may be forced to exit the sector if payment structures are not urgently revised to reflect real-world expenses.

“Workers are already struggling to survive with low and inconsistent earnings. With fuel prices going up again, their situation has become unsustainable,” Singh said, urging both the government and digital platforms to implement a guaranteed minimum payout of Rs 20 per kilometre for delivery and transport services.

She further highlighted that workers associated with major platforms such as Swiggy, Zomato, and Blinkit are among the most affected, as they depend on motorcycles and scooters and often work long hours under difficult weather conditions with limited social security protection.

The union also pointed out that gig workers bear the cost of fuel, maintenance, and vehicle depreciation themselves, making them especially vulnerable to price fluctuations in petrol and diesel.

This is not the first time gig workers have taken collective action. In December 2025, delivery and quick-commerce workers staged a nationwide strike protesting against low wages, unfair working conditions, and lack of social security benefits. At that time, they also demanded the removal of the 10-minute delivery model and restoration of a more stable payout structure.

With the latest shutdown call, GIPSWU has once again brought attention to the growing unrest within India’s rapidly expanding gig economy, highlighting the widening gap between rising operational costs and stagnant worker earnings.