Delivery partners' nationwide strike on New Year's Eve? | Demands, disruptions, and how platforms are preparing for it | Explained

Delivery Partner Strike: The quick commerce and food delivery workforce is planning another strike across India on December 31, one of the busiest days of the year for these sectors. Companies have reported receiving record-breaking orders on New Year's Eve for the past two years. Experts say that this planned strike by approximately 100,000 to 150,000 riders could significantly impact operations. To mitigate the impact, platforms have already launched year-end offers and flash sales on their apps.Why are the riders planning strike?The Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers and the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU) had announced two strikes on December 25 and 31, demanding job security, higher wages, safer working conditions, and social security benefits. According to the unions, approximately 40,000 riders across the country participated in spontaneous strikes and bike rallies on Christmas Day, resulting in delays for 50-60 per cent of orders.What impact is the December 31st strike expected to have?According to Shaik Salauddin, the founder-president of TGPWU, the unions expect 100,000 to 150,000 riders to participate in the strike on December 31.He said, "The momentum is gaining very quickly. We are expecting a large number of riders to join us," as quoted by ET. "We will conduct flash strikes across different cities. Some people will stop delivering food during lunch and dinner hours. Some will stop working during the peak hours when people order groceries," he added.According to analysts, the platform typically sees a 60 per cent surge in orders during Christmas and New Year's Eve. However, Karan Taurani, Executive Vice President at brokerage firm Elara Securities, said the strike could primarily impact some cities in South India, potentially leading to a 10-20 per cent drop in order volumes, ET reported. Industry experts note that while the timing of the strike is crucial, these festive days also present the most lucrative earning opportunities for gig workers.What preparations are being made for the platform?As the nation gears up for New Year's Eve celebrations, online food delivery and quick commerce platforms are gearing up for a massive surge in orders, learning from the disruptions that marred services in certain pockets of the country on Christmas Day. Companies like Zomato, Swiggy, Zepto, Blinkit, and Swiggy Instamart have revamped their apps with dedicated party-themed sections, eye-catching banners, and curated deals on essentials such as soft drinks, snacks, mixers, disposable cups, decorative items, and party games, all aimed at encouraging customers to stock up well in advance.Industry executives told that food delivery apps Zomato and Swiggy, and quick commerce platforms Zepto, Blinkit, and Instamart are urging customers to stock up before New Year's Eve. They are preparing for a surge in demand and potential disruptions due to strikes, according to multiple reports.Even e-commerce giants are joining the fray, with Amazon India and Flipkart's quick commerce arms aggressively promoting ultra-fast 10-minute deliveries to capture a slice of the festive rush.