Zomato, Swiggy Delivery Orders Drop From 30 to 5 as LPG Crisis Hits Restaurants, One Crore Gig Workers Affected

The ongoing war involving Iran and tensions across the Middle East are now severely affecting India’s food delivery ecosystem, with gig workers associated with Zomato and Swiggy reporting a massive drop in daily orders.

According to the Gig and Platform Service Workers Union, delivery workers who earlier completed around 30 orders a day are now struggling to receive even five orders, drastically affecting their incomes and pushing many families into financial distress.

The union warned that the crisis, triggered by disruption in global LPG supply due to the widening war in the Middle East, is now crippling restaurants, dhabas, and food delivery services across the country.

LPG Shortage Shuts Restaurants, Slashes Delivery Orders

The shortage of commercial LPG cylinders has forced several restaurants, cloud kitchens, catering services, and street food vendors to shut operations temporarily.

According to the workers’ union, the crisis has wiped out nearly 50–60 per cent of food delivery orders on platforms like Zomato and Swiggy.

In a statement, the Gig and Platform Service Workers Union said the disruption in LPG supply caused by the Middle East war has created an unprecedented situation for food businesses and gig workers.

“Our members are starving,” the union said, warning that the current crisis is rapidly turning into a disaster for thousands of families dependent on the gig economy.

Gig Workers Say Families Are Struggling to Survive

The union said hundreds of gig workers have reached out to them describing severe hardship as their incomes collapse.

Many workers reported that their families are skipping meals while struggling to pay basic household expenses.

A delivery worker from Delhi, who is a father of two, said his daily deliveries have dropped dramatically.

“From 30 deliveries a day to barely 5–10 now. Platforms are threatening to deactivate my ID because of low activity,” he told the union.

The impact is not limited to delivery partners. Ride-hailing drivers who used to deliver food orders, cloud kitchen employees, and restaurant staff are also facing job losses as businesses shut down due to the gas shortage.

How Many Workers Are Affected by the LPG Crisis?

The Gig and Platform Service Workers Union estimates that nearly one crore workers across the country have been affected by the LPG supply crisis.

Gig and platform workers form a large share of this workforce, as food delivery services rely heavily on restaurants and kitchens that require commercial LPG cylinders to operate.

The union warned that the “war-induced disaster” is pushing many workers into unemployment and forcing families into debt.

What Demands Have Gig Workers Made to the Government?

In response to the crisis, the workers’ union has written to the Union Labour Ministry demanding urgent intervention.

The union’s key demands include ensuring 24/7 supply of commercial LPG cylinders to restaurants and food businesses through the Oil Ministry.

It has also demanded immediate financial relief of ₹10,000 for each affected gig worker from platforms like Zomato and Swiggy.

Other demands include a three-month moratorium on delivery ID deactivations, minimum daily incentives for gig workers, and complete coverage for platform workers under the Code on Social Security.

The union stressed that gig workers are suffering due to factors beyond their control and urged delivery platforms not to penalise workers for the sharp drop in orders.

Why Is the LPG Shortage Happening?

The shortage of commercial LPG cylinders in India has been linked to supply disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, particularly the war involving Iran.

The conflict has affected global energy supply chains, impacting the availability of LPG used by restaurants, food businesses, and catering services.

Industry groups warn that unless the supply situation improves quickly, the crisis could further disrupt India’s food delivery sector and threaten the livelihoods of thousands of gig workers.