NOIDA, June 25, 2025 — A substantial number of gig workers connected to the online grocery delivery service Big Basket have initiated a unified strike in multiple sectors of Noida. They are expressing strong disapproval of recent pay cuts and the potential risk of having their identities deactivated.
The protest, organized by delivery partners and supported by the Gig Workers Association (GigWA), has disrupted operations at Big Basket outlets in sectors 4, 45, 53, 104, 116, and 122. Vandana Narang, NCR Coordinator of GigWA, informed NewsIP that workers are demanding an immediate rollback of rate cuts that came into effect on June 23, 2025.
Pay Reduced, Work Hours Increased
According to striking workers, their per-order delivery earnings have dropped from Rs.36–42 to just Rs.25, significantly impacting their ability to make ends meet. Many report working 13 to 16 hours a day and still failing to earn Rs.1,000 — a figure they say barely covers fuel, meals, rent, and vehicle loan payments.
Delivery incentives have also become increasingly difficult to attain, workers allege. The platform reportedly offers Rs.330 for 28 deliveries, Rs.310 for 35, and Rs.420 for 42 — targets many consider unrealistic under current conditions. The combination of long hours, low pay, and rigid work limits has prompted many to return home without completing enough orders to qualify for any incentives.
Allegations of Intimidation
Striking workers further claim that local store managers have attempted to suppress the protests using threats, including possible police intervention. Despite this, delivery partners remain united in their demands, which include:
1. Restoration of previous delivery rates (Rs.36–40 per order)
2. A shift from performance-based incentives to a guaranteed monthly income
3. Legal recognition of their right to strike and negotiate
4. A 48-hour timeline for redressal of their grievances
GigWA Steps In
In response, GigWA has officially reached out to the management of Big Basket as well as the Ministry of Labour and Employment, calling on them to promptly implement effective measures. The association emphasized the need for fair compensation and basic rights for gig workers, especially given the essential nature of their services in modern urban living, particularly in gated communities and high-rise apartments.
GigWA warned that continued neglect of gig workers’ issues could undermine India’s ability to harness its demographic dividend through platform-based employment.
Conclusion
As the platform economy grows, so too does the urgency for companies and regulators to ensure equitable working conditions for gig workers. The outcome of this protest could set a precedent for how digital platforms address labor issues in the future, especially as they become central to daily life in both urban and rural India.
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