Gig Workers Call Nationwide Strike Over Fuel Price Hike, Low Earnings

App-based cab drivers and delivery workers have announced a temporary nationwide strike on Saturday to protest rising petrol and diesel prices along with low payment rates from platform companies. The shutdown call has been given by the Gig and Platform Services Workers Union (GIPSWU).

Workers have been asked to stop app-based services from 12 PM to 5 PM.

• What happened
  • GIPSWU appealed to gig workers across India to join a temporary strike on Saturday.
  • The protest comes after petrol and diesel prices were increased by around ₹3 per litre.
  • Workers say rising fuel costs are severely affecting their daily earnings.
• Why it matters
  • Fuel expenses form a major part of earnings for cab drivers and delivery partners.
  • Workers claim app companies have not increased fares enough to match rising operational costs.
• Fuel price impact
  • Petrol in Delhi rose to nearly ₹97.77 per litre, while diesel climbed to ₹90.67 per litre.
  • In Hyderabad, petrol crossed ₹110 per litre, while diesel touched nearly ₹99 per litre.
  • Global crude prices have surged amid tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, impacting fuel costs worldwide.
• What workers are saying
  • Drivers say commissions, fuel charges, and maintenance costs are leaving them with very little income.
  • Many workers claim daily household expenses are becoming difficult to manage.
• What changes
  • Temporary disruptions in cab bookings and food delivery services may occur during the strike period.
  • More fuel price revisions are possible depending on global crude oil trends and government decisions.
• Who is affected
  • Cab drivers and delivery workers
  • App-based transport and food delivery platforms
  • Customers using ride-hailing and delivery services
  • Businesses dependent on logistics and transport

What to watch next:
Whether app-based companies respond to workers’ demands, possible government intervention on fuel pricing, and the scale of participation in Saturday’s nationwide shutdown.