Gig workers have called for a temporary nationwide strike on Saturday, asking app-based drivers and delivery workers to cease services from 12 pm to 5 pm to protest against rising fuel prices and low payment rates.The Gig and Platform Services Workers Union (GIPSWU) has appealed to workers to join the shutdown, arguing that increasing petrol and diesel prices are making it harder for them to earn enough despite long working hours.Taking to social media platform X, the union wrote, “GIPSWU appeals to gig & platform workers across India to observe a temporary shutdown of app-based services tomorrow from 12 pm to 5 pm in protest against rising fuel prices and inadequate payment rates.”The protest comes in response to a fuel price hike of around Rs 3 per litre by oil marketing companies. Following the revision, petrol prices in the capital have climbed to nearly Rs 97.77 per litre, while diesel now costs Rs 90.67 per litre. The rise came after energy supplies across the globe have continued to see disruptions due to the ongoing Strait of Hormuz chokehold. While global crude prices have climbed from $70 per barrel before the conflict to almost $105, prices in India remained largely unchanged until Friday.
In Hyderabad, petrol prices gone up by more than Rs 3.3 per litre and now cost Rs 110.8 per litre, compared with the earlier Rs 107.45–Rs 107.5 range. Diesel prices have also risen by over Rs 3.2 per litre, increasing from Rs 95.7 to Rs 98.9 per litre.For cab drivers and delivery workers who spend most of their day on the road, the latest increase is expected to directly affect daily income.“Every time fuel prices increase, our expenses go up immediately, but customer fares do not increase accordingly,” said Mohammed, a cab driver attached to an app-based service. “After paying commission and fuel charges, very little money remains with us at the end of the day. Some days it becomes difficult even to meet household expenses.”Also read | Petrol, diesel prices hiked by Rs 3 per litre effective immediately; check rates in your cityMany drivers argue that fuel costs will take away a bigger share of what they earn, while app companies have not increased fares enough to match the rising expense.
Fuel price hike
The fuel price hike was announced on Friday by public sector oil companies, which pushed petrol and diesel prices higher by around Rs 3 per litre across metro cities. At the same time, piped kitchen gas prices remain unchanged.Oil company executives said that more fuel price hikes may happen later, but that would depend on government approval and decisions on when and how much to increase.Also read | CNG prices hike by Rs 2, further hike likely; no change in piped gas yetEven after the latest rise, oil companies are still not fully recovering their costs. Crisil estimated that state-run fuel retailers are losing around Rs 10 per litre on petrol and Rs 13 per litre on diesel.Fuel prices in India are linked to global oil prices and taxes. The cost of crude oil for Indian refiners has increased by 53%, rising from an average of $69 a barrel in February to over $106 so far in May. During this period, petrol and diesel prices have each risen by around 75%.Fuel prices had mostly remained unchanged since April 2022, except in March 2024 when the Centre reduced excise duty by Rs 2 per litre.With fuel becoming more expensive again, gig workers say their earnings are under serious pressure. Through Saturday’s temporary shutdown, they aim to highlight how rising costs and low payouts are making it difficult for many workers to manage daily expenses.
