Food delivery platforms Zomato and Swiggy are rolling out higher incentives for delivery partners ahead of New Year’s Eve, a move they routinely make during festive periods to prevent service disruptions, even as gig workers’ unions have called for a nationwide strike.

The Telangana Gig and Platform Workers’ Union (TGPWU) and the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT) have said that lakhs of workers are expected to participate in the strike, demanding better payouts and improved working conditions.

Industry sources warned that the action could affect food delivery and quick-commerce services, including Zomato, Swiggy, Blinkit, Instamart and Zepto, on one of the busiest nights of the year.

Zomato has offered delivery partners payouts of ₹120 to ₹150 per order during peak hours between 6 pm and midnight on New Year’s Eve. The platform has also promised earnings of up to ₹3,000 over the course of the day, depending on order volumes and worker availability, according to people familiar with the matter.

The company has also temporarily waived penalties for order denials and cancellations, sources said, while stressing that such measures are part of standard procedures during periods of high demand.

“This is part of our standard annual operating protocol during festive periods, which typically see higher earning opportunities due to increased demand,” an Eternal spokesperson told PTI. Eternal owns the Zomato and Blinkit brands.

Swiggy has similarly raised incentives over the year-end period, offering delivery workers earnings of up to ₹10,000 across 31 December and 1 January, according to people aware of the development. On New Year’s Eve, the platform is advertising peak-hour earnings of up to ₹2,000 for the six-hour window between 6 pm and midnight to ensure sufficient rider availability.

In a joint statement, TGPWU and IFAT said: “As of last night, over 1.7 lakh delivery and app-based workers across India have confirmed participation, with numbers expected to rise further by evening.”

The unions said the call for an escalated nationwide strike on 31 December follows a large-scale action on 25 December, when thousands of delivery workers logged off platforms across Telangana and other regions.

“The December 25 action sent a clear warning to platform companies about falling earnings, unsafe delivery pressure, and loss of dignity at work,” the statement said. “However, companies responded with silence — no rollback of reduced payouts, no dialogue with workers, and no concrete assurances on safety or working hours. This continued indifference has made today’s strike unavoidable.”

The Gig and Platform Service Workers Union has also announced a nationwide strike on 31 December 2025, urging workers to collectively press for rights, welfare and dignity.

“All gig workers, platform workers, digital platform workers, app-based workers, and online freelancers are earnestly requested to participate in the national strike by shutting down all work-related applications and abstaining from providing services on December 31, 2025, thereby making the strike united and effective,” it said.