LPG Shortage Hits Gig Workers as Food Orders Drop Across India

Thousands of gig workers across India are reporting steep income losses as the shortage of commercial LPG cylinders disrupts food businesses, according to the Gig and Platform Service Workers Union (GIPSWU). The union estimates that nearly one crore gig workers could be affected, particularly those working on food delivery and ride-hailing platforms.

The disruption is linked to tensions in the Middle East that have strained LPG supply chains, making it difficult for restaurants, dhabas, street vendors and cloud kitchens to obtain commercial gas cylinders. As a result, many food outlets are reducing operations, which has sharply cut the number of delivery orders on platforms such as Swiggy and Zomato.

Food Orders Drop as Kitchens Scale Back

According to GIPSWU, the LPG shortage has forced many eateries to reduce menus, shorten operating hours or temporarily close kitchens. Without steady access to cooking gas, restaurants are unable to meet regular demand.

This has had a direct impact on food delivery services. The union claims that order volumes on major food delivery apps have fallen by 50% to 80% in some areas, sharply reducing the number of deliveries available for gig workers.

Delivery partners typically rely on completing a high number of small-value orders each day to earn a stable income. With fewer orders coming through, daily earnings have dropped significantly.

Chain Reaction Across Gig Economy

The slowdown in food orders is creating ripple effects across several types of gig work. Delivery partners, workers employed in cloud kitchens and even ride-hailing drivers who depend on restaurant trips are seeing fewer bookings.

Because most gig workers operate as independent contractors without fixed salaries or formal benefits, sudden disruptions can quickly translate into financial hardship.

GIPSWU said many workers have no paid leave, job security or employer-backed social security, leaving their families vulnerable during crises like the current LPG shortage.

Families Struggling to Cope

The union said the economic impact is already being felt at the household level. Many workers have reported that falling income has forced them to cut expenses and rely on informal loans to manage daily needs.

In one example cited by the union, a delivery worker in Delhi who supports a family of four saw his daily work drop from around 30 deliveries to just 5-10 orders. According to the union, some workers are also facing threats of account deactivation from platforms if they fail to meet activity targets.

GIPSWU described the situation as a growing livelihood crisis, warning that prolonged disruptions could push many gig workers into debt.

Union Demands Urgent Support

To address the situation, the union has written to the Union Labour Minister requesting urgent discussions with government agencies, oil companies and platform operators.

The union has put forward several key demands:

Ensure uninterrupted commercial LPG supply for restaurants, dhabas, street vendors and cloud kitchens.

Provide direct financial relief of ₹10,000 to affected gig workers through food delivery platforms.

Suspend account deactivations for delivery partners for at least three months during the crisis.

Guarantee minimum daily incentives for delivery workers until food businesses resume normal operations.

Call for Social Security for Gig Workers

Beyond immediate relief, GIPSWU has again called for the full implementation of the Code on Social Security, 2020, which includes provisions for gig and platform workers.

The union argued that the current LPG supply disruption highlights how quickly global shocks can affect workers who lack stable employment protections.

As the commercial LPG shortage continues to affect food businesses, gig workers across India are urging both the government and digital platforms to provide short-term relief and long-term social security safeguards to protect their livelihoods.