Shortages of commercial LPG cylinders have forced several restaurants, dhabas, cloud kitchens, caterers and street vendors to either shut down temporarily or cut back operations, the Gig and Platform Service Workers Union (GIPSWU) said in a statement.
According to the union, the situation has resulted in a steep decline in food delivery orders on major platforms such as Zomato and Swiggy.
Livelihoods at risk as members ‘starving’
GIPSWU claimed that food delivery demand on major platforms has dropped by around 50-60%, leaving gig workers with far fewer orders and reduced earnings.
The union estimated that nearly one crore workers across the country are being affected by the disruption, with gig and platform workers forming a large section of those impacted.
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“Our members are starving,” said Nirmal Gorana, GIPSWU spokesperson. “Hundreds have approached us: families skipping meals, kids going hungry. A gig worker from Delhi, a father of two, laments, ‘From 30 deliveries a day to 5-10, platforms now threaten to deactivate my ID’.”
“Ride-hailing drivers lose restaurant runs, cloud kitchen workers face pink slips. This war-induced disaster is pushing us into unemployment and debt. 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 disaster,” Gorana added.
The union said gig workers lack fixed wages or social security benefits, making them particularly vulnerable during supply shocks and economic disruptions.
Union writes to Labour Ministry, urges emergency meeting
According to GIPSWU, the union has written to the Union Labour Minister seeking urgent intervention and requesting an emergency meeting with platform companies and oil firms.
Among its key demands, the union has asked the Oil Ministry to ensure uninterrupted commercial LPG supply to food businesses across the country.
It has also urged food delivery platforms such as Zomato and Swiggy to provide ₹10,000 as immediate financial relief to affected workers.
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Additionally, the association has called for a three-month moratorium on ID deactivations, the introduction of minimum daily incentives, and comprehensive inclusion of gig workers under the Code on Social Security, 2020.
The union has appealed for a 48-hour emergency meeting between the government, platform companies and oil suppliers, warning that the crisis could worsen if immediate steps are not taken.
