Telangana Gig Workers Call Statewide Flash Strike on July 22 Over Pay and Welfare Issues

App-based drivers and delivery workers across Telangana have announced a statewide flash strike on July 22, intensifying their campaign for better earnings, fair pricing mechanisms and stronger social security measures.

The decision was taken at a roundtable meeting held at the Sundarayya Vignana Kendram (SVK) in Hyderabad under the joint leadership of the Telangana App-Based Drivers Forum (TADF) and the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU).

The meeting brought together cab drivers, auto-rickshaw operators, goods transport workers and delivery personnel associated with major digital platforms, including Ola, Uber, Rapido, Swiggy, Zomato, Zepto and Blinkit. Participants voiced concerns over declining incomes, rising commission charges imposed by platform companies and delays in the implementation of welfare measures for gig workers.

Worker representatives demanded the introduction of a fair and transparent fare structure for app-based transport and delivery services. They urged the government and platform operators to establish minimum base fares and rational rates linked to distance travelled, time spent and orders completed.

The unions also called for the immediate notification of rules governing gig and platform workers and the establishment of a dedicated welfare board to oversee social security and worker benefits. According to the representatives, the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines–2025 require the government to notify minimum fare structures, but companies continue to determine charges unilaterally, adversely affecting workers' earnings.

Union leaders said they had already held several rounds of discussions with both the government and platform companies, but claimed that no concrete action had followed. Frustrated by the lack of progress, they announced plans for a statewide flash strike on July 22.

The organisations further warned that if their demands remain unresolved, they would launch an indefinite strike after August 10, potentially affecting app-based transport and delivery services across the state.

TADF founder Sheikh Salauddin urged the Telangana government to immediately convene a meeting involving worker representatives and platform companies to address the concerns of lakhs of app-based drivers and delivery workers whose livelihoods depend on the sector.

Several labour leaders, including P. Satish, A. Nagesh Kumar, RK Reddy and Saleem , participated in the meeting and reiterated the need for urgent intervention to protect the interests of gig economy workers.