Around 150 Blinkit gig workers in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh staged a strike over the weekend, calling for fair wages, improved working conditions, and cotton uniforms suitable for summer. However, the striking workers allege that Blinkit, owned by Zomato, responded by suspending their IDs and requiring them to sign agreements in exchange for reactivation.
According to Nirmal Gorana, National Coordinator of the Gig and Platform Services Workers Union (GIPSWU), Blinkit suspended the delivery partners who participated in the two-day strike on April 26–27, rather than addressing their concerns. The workers demanded an end to mandatory shifts between 12 PM and 4 PM, increased minimum pay, and access to basic amenities like drinking water and shaded rest areas.
Photos shared by GIPSWU showed Blinkit workers protesting in their yellow uniforms, holding signs urging the company to stop harassing riders. One Reddit user, claiming to be a former Zomato employee, explained that Blinkit’s incentive structure requires gig workers to complete a set number of deliveries during certain hours, potentially explaining why riders objected to mandatory shifts.
GIPSWU further claimed that the suspended workers were forced to sign unofficial documents—lacking company letterheads or contractual clarity—and to record videos confirming compliance. According to the union, a company representative also threatened legal action and made workers sign affidavits promising not to strike in the future.
Despite the pressure, workers have remained firm on their demands, continuing to call for more humane working conditions and respect for gig workers’ rights.