New Delhi, Mar 12 (UNI) The Gig and Platform Service Workers union (GIPSWU) on Thursday demanded compensation from food delivery platforms and protection from ID deactivation, citing a sharp fall in orders following disruptions in global LPG supplies triggered by the ongoing war in West Asia.
In a letter addressed to Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, the union said food delivery orders on platforms such as Zomato and Swiggy have dropped by 50–60 per cent.
The union attributed the decline to the closure of restaurants, dhabas, cloud kitchens, catering services and street food vendors due to shortages of commercial LPG cylinders, which it said stem from disruptions in global supply linked to the conflict between the United States–Israel and Iran.
The disruption in LPG supply chains has severely affected gig workers’ livelihoods, with many struggling to meet basic household expenses, the union said.
“Our members are starving,” said Nirmal Gorana, spokesperson for GIPSWU. “Hundreds have approached us, families skipping meals, children going hungry.”
Gig workers, who lack fixed pay and social security, are bearing the brunt of the downturn, he said.
“From 30 deliveries a day to just 5–10, platforms now threaten to deactivate my ID,” said a Delhi-based delivery worker, describing the pressure workers face despite the fall in orders.
The union said the slowdown is also affecting other workers linked to the food supply chain. Ride-hailing drivers are losing restaurant trips, while workers at cloud kitchens are facing job losses.
“It is estimated that nearly one crore workers are being affected, among whom gig and platform workers constitute a large section. The present crisis is turning into a disaster,” Gorana said.
“Platforms must not punish workers for the crash in orders. Instead, they should compensate and protect them,” he added.
The union has urged the labour ministry to convene an emergency meeting within 48 hours with food delivery platforms and oil companies to address the crisis affecting gig workers.
Among its key demands, the union called for uninterrupted 24×7 supply of commercial LPG to food businesses by the Oil Ministry, Rs10,000 immediate relief from platforms for each affected worker, a three-month moratorium on ID deactivations, and minimum daily incentives to offset income losses.
The union also reiterated its demand for full coverage of gig workers under the Code on Social Security, 2020.
