India’s delivery workers have called a New Year’s Eve strike to protest long working hours, low earnings, lack of social security, and safety risks tied to ultra-fast delivery expectations. Gig work may be keeping cities moving, but workers say the “10-minute” model pushes them into unsafe conditions with little protection, prompting fresh pressure on platforms and regulators.
Host cities for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup are seeing a major surge in temporary gig work. Staffing firms expect hundreds of thousands of short-term roles, especially across hospitality and food services. Hiring has ramped up rapidly since late last year, with different cities showing distinct demand patterns for event-related staffing.
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India’s festive hiring climbed 17% between August and October across key sectors, with gig and temporary roles up 25% this year, according to a report. Improved compensation and steady demand reflect growing economic confidence and a more mature gig ecosystem. The momentum is expected to stretch through the wedding season and into March 2026, powered largely by Tier II and Tier III cities.
Swiggy Food Marketplace CEO Rohit Kapoor argues that delivery partners should be treated as flexible employment rather than “gig work.” He positions the role as a third pillar of the job market, separate from formal employment and entrepreneurship. Kapoor notes that millions have worked on Swiggy’s platform, highlighting the sector’s scale and long-term growth potential.
India’s new Labour Code aims to simplify regulations while bringing informal and gig workers into a more formal framework. It promises better security and fairer pay, with enhanced protections for employees. For businesses, especially in organized sectors, the reform is expected to reduce red tape and boost flexibility, alongside specific rules for platform companies.
Quick service platform Snabbit has appointed Abhinav Ankur as chief business officer, betting on a surge in house help demand. The company says daily jobs are rising sharply, while rivals like Urban Company’s InstaHelp and Pronto report strong bookings too. Venture capital interest is intensifying, with Snabbit and Pronto both raising substantial funding.
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After meeting Union Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Zepto cofounder Aadit Palicha said the quick commerce firm backs government initiatives and is willing to accept constructive suggestions. Palicha highlighted the company’s employment footprint, citing over 180,000 delivery partners and more than 40,000 store and warehouse-related workers, while noting other gig players have helped sustain the ecosystem.
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