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HYDERABAD: Gig workers unions have renewed their demand for the removal of 10-minute delivery options and the restoration of earlier payout structures, ahead of a nationwide strike scheduled on Wednesday.The Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU) president, Shaik Salauddin, said the fast-delivery model was placing unsafe pressure on workers, while changes in payment systems had reduced earnings.

‘Remove 10-Minute Delivery Option’: Gig Workers Launch Nationwide Strike On New Year’s Eve

He said thousands of workers across the country were preparing to participate in the protest, which could disrupt delivery services during peak hours.“Our demand to the platform companies was that our old payout structure be reinstated and that the 10-minute delivery option be removed from all platforms.

We had called for a strike on the 25th and 31st, and on the 25th, 40 thousand workers across India came out in support of it. We are ready to discuss and talk about it. We request the state and central government also to interfere in this,” Salauddin told ANI.According to the union, the protest has already begun in phases. Salauddin said that on December 25, around 40,000 workers across India joined demonstrations, leading to delays in more than half of deliveries.

“On the 25th, around 40,000 workers across India joined the protest, due to which 50 to 60 per cent of orders were delayed. What happened on December 25 was just the trailer; the real picture will be seen on December 31,” he said.The strike is being organised under the banner of the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT), which represents delivery workers and drivers associated with companies such as Swiggy, Zomato, Zepto and Amazon.“People can see that we have been continuously raising our demands with platform companies. We have placed five key demands before them. Our first demand is that the old payout structure should be restored. Earlier, during festivals such as Dussehra, Diwali, and Bakrid, fair payments were made. That system must be implemented again regularly,” Salauddin said.The union leader also criticised what he described as opaque, algorithm-driven management systems, alleging that workers’ incomes had suffered as a result.“The algorithm controls workers' businesses. Incentives are not being paid properly, and there is no clarity. We also want a proper grievance redressal mechanism and social security benefits,” he added.Salauddin claimed the movement had the backing of more than 1.5 lakh workers nationwide and accused aggregator companies of attempting to intimidate those participating in the protest.“Workers are being threatened. Bouncers are being deployed near warehouses, and IDs are being blocked through team leaders and area managers.