In the context of steep rises in fuel prices, United Food Delivery Partners’ Union, has called for an immediate rollback of fuel prices and increase in per-order base pay to match rising fuel costs.

Condemning the government’s move to increase the fuel price twice within a week, the union said that gig workers who are already struggling with unstable earnings, low incentives, rising maintenance costs, and long working hours are now being forced to bear the additional burden of fuel price hikes.

“Every increase in petrol and diesel prices directly affects the livelihood of lakhs of food delivery partners and other gig and platform workers across the country. While app-based delivery companies continue to expand their business and profits, the workers are being left to absorb the losses. The present situation has made it increasingly difficult for food delivery partners and other gig and platform economy workers to even meet basic household expenses,” said a statement from the union.

It called upon all democratic sections of society to stand in solidarity with food delivery workers and other gig and platform economy workers who are bearing the brunt of the present economic crisis and to condemn the decision of central government to hike fuel prices.