App-based gig workers across India called a nationwide five-hour strike this Saturday to protest rising fuel costs [1].
The shutdown threatens to disrupt urban mobility and food delivery services in major cities—sectors that rely heavily on the labor of thousands of independent contractors.
The Gig Workers Union, led by president Seema Singh, organized the action to represent drivers for platforms including Ola, Uber, Swiggy, and Zomato [1]. The strike was scheduled from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday [2].
The protest follows a recent increase in petrol and diesel prices of approximately Rs 3 per litre [3]. According to some reports, this represents the first major nationwide fuel price revision in nearly four years [3].
Union leaders are demanding a fare rate of Rs 20 per km for drivers to offset the increased cost of operations [3]. The union said the price hike makes it unsustainable for drivers to maintain their current earnings while covering fuel expenses.
There is conflicting information regarding the fuel price increase. While some reports indicate that oil marketing companies raised prices on Friday [3], the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas dismissed reports of a hike and said no such proposal was under consideration [4]. Other reports noted that the ministry said media claims regarding the price increase were misleading [5].
Despite these contradictions, the GIPSWU proceeded with the shutdown to bring attention to the financial pressures facing the gig economy workforce. The union said the coordinated effort is necessary to secure fair compensation in the face of volatile energy costs.
“Gig workers across India called a nationwide five-hour strike this Saturday to protest rising fuel costs.”
This strike highlights the precarious nature of the gig economy in India, where workers bear the direct brunt of inflation and fuel volatility without the safety net of fixed salaries. The conflict between government denials and union claims over price hikes suggests a breakdown in communication between state regulators and the labor force, potentially leading to more frequent disruptions in the app-based service sector.
