A nationwide disruption in app-based cab and delivery services may be witnessed on Saturday after the Gig & Platform Service Workers Union (GIPSWU) called for a five-hour strike over the hike in petrol and diesel prices. The union has appealed to cab drivers and delivery partners linked with digital platforms to halt services between 12 pm and 5 pm, saying the rise in fuel prices has made it increasingly difficult for gig workers to sustain their earnings. The protest comes after the Centre on Friday raised petrol and diesel prices by Rs 3 per litre, the first retail fuel price revision in almost four years. The increase follows a sharp spike in global crude oil prices amid escalating geopolitical tensions in West Asia and fears of supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz. Union Says Fuel Hike Will Deepen Financial Stress GIPSWU said the burden of the fuel price increase will largely fall on gig and platform workers, especially those dependent on two-wheelers for deliveries and ride-hailing services. The union claimed that nearly 1.2 crore workers engaged with app-based platforms could face severe financial pressure as fuel and maintenance costs continue to rise without a corresponding increase in payouts from companies. “Gig & Platform Service Union (GIPSWU) demands increase in per-kilometre service rates from the government and digital gig platforms following hike in petrol, diesel and LPG gas prices. Rise in petrol and diesel prices will become a cause of concern and migration among gig workers. The direct impact of the increase in petrol and diesel prices will fall upon 1.2 crore gig workers,” the organisation said in a statement. The union also expressed concern that the worsening economics of gig work could push many workers to leave the sector altogether. Demand For Rs 20 Per Kilometre Minimum Rate Union president Seema Singh described the fuel price increase as a major setback for delivery workers already coping with higher LPG prices and difficult working conditions during the ongoing heatwave. “Delivery workers associated with companies such as Swiggy, Zomato and Blinkit will not be able to bear the impact of rising petrol and diesel prices during the ongoing severe heatwave conditions,” Singh said. She urged both the government and digital platforms to introduce a minimum payout structure of Rs 20 per kilometre for delivery and transport workers. According to the union, current incentive structures are not sufficient to offset rising fuel bills, vehicle servicing expenses and daily commuting costs. Long Working Hours, Rising Costs National Coordinator Nirmal Gorana said workers associated with app-based services are among the most vulnerable sections within the unorganised workforce because their income is directly linked to fuel consumption and vehicle usage. “Among the nearly 60 crore workers engaged in the unorganised sector, around 1.2 crore gig and platform workers are among the worst affected sections because a large numbers of workers associated with app-based companies are completely dependent upon motorcycles, scooters and other vehicles for earning their livelihood,” he said. He added that despite a steady rise in fuel prices and maintenance expenses over the years, compensation structures on most aggregator platforms have not improved meaningfully. Gorana further said that many delivery executives and drivers spend 10 to 14 hours daily navigating congested roads and extreme weather conditions to maintain their earnings. India’s Gig Workforce Expanding Rapidly India’s gig economy has seen rapid expansion over the past few years, led by food delivery, quick commerce and ride-hailing platforms. As per estimates by NITI Aayog, the country had around 77 lakh gig workers in 2020-21, and the number is expected to cross 2.3 crore by 2029-30. Workers associated with companies such as Zomato, Swiggy, Blinkit, Zepto, Ola, Uber, Rapido, Porter and Amazon Flex continue to shoulder fuel and maintenance expenses on their own while operating under tight delivery timelines and fluctuating incentive structures.