The ultra-fast 10-minute delivery model applied by the quick-commerce platforms in India has been the subject of protest by gig workers, who complained of a poor working environment, extreme strain, high wages, and off the labour safeguards. The strikes, such as on New Year's Eve of 2025, resulted in the Union Labour Ministry intervening and asking large companies (Blinkit, Swiggy, Zepto, and Zomato) to do away with their branding and advertising promises of a 10-minute delivery because it undermined the safety and welfare of riders. The growth has boosted debates over the way labour laws can be modified in India to accommodate the gig economy workers and provide them with fair wages, social security and a safer working environment.
How Gig Worker Protests Are Shaping India’s Labour Regulations
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The Union Labour Ministry asked quick-commerce businesses to stop offering the branding of 10-minute delivery, as it puts unfair pressure on gig employees.
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The four new labour codes in India, after many years of political inactivity, such as the Code on Social Security, 2020, formally defining the union of gig and platform workers, are of interest again because they seek to provide social security benefits such as health insurance and pension to these workers.
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Proposed draft rules suggest the eligibility requirements (e.g., 90 days of work) to access social security schemes.
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Strikes have made the holes in minimum wage protection, occupational safety and the classification of workers visible and have compelled regulators to redefine what these protections entail.
Important PYQ-Based Questions and Answers
| Exam | Year | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|---|
| CDS-II | 2022 | Which one of the following labour codes incorporates provisions from the Factories Act, 1948, and the Plantations Labour Act, 1951? | Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 |
| EMRS PGT | 2023 | The Industrial Relations Code, 2020, subsumes which of the following labour laws? | Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, and Trade Union Act, 1926 |
| UPSC EPFO | 2025 | Consider the following statements regarding the Labour Codes: Statement I: Four labour codes were enacted to reform and consolidate laws. Statement II: Labour is in the Union List of the Constitution. Which is correct? | Statement I is correct; II is incorrect |
| WBCS Mains | 2025 | Which of the following is a recently framed labour code of the Government of India? | All of the above |
| General GK / Current Affairs | 2025 | On which day did the Government of India officially make all four labour codes effective? | 21st November 2025 |
Conclusion (Gig Workers Protest 10-Minute Delivery Model)
The demonstrations of the gig workers of the 10-minute delivery model point to the unhealthy working conditions, inadequate payment, and lack of security measures. Through these protests, governments are starting to re-evaluate their labour laws, improve employee safety, and widen social security entitlements, and it is a major achievement towards responsible and fair practices in the gig economy in India.
