How the Gulf War is affecting gig workers
Bela Rani (name changed), a food delivery worker in Delhi, is no longer able to make the modest sum she was earning last month. On March 5, 2026, an order issued by the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas directed Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) to prioritise the supply of LPG to domestic users. As a result, supplies of commercial LPG to restaurants, tile makers, pottery kilns and other related sectors were curtailed. With eateries and food outlets unable to produce a variety of dishes due to the LPG shortage, customer orders have fallen and Bela’s trips for deliveries have come down.
The past few days have been particularly frustrating for Bela, who works exclusively night shifts. “Until Holi, I could easily complete 16–17 deliveries. Now I’m forced to work overtime just to qualify for the incentive.” A visibly distraught Bela explained that the incentive — ₹135 — is paid only after completing 13 deliveries.
Naved, who covers the Dwarka circuit in southwest Delhi, says his Zomato orders have already dropped by nearly 50 percent. “Yesterday I earned only ₹500, including incentives. I delivered just 15 orders from noon to 11 at night,” he says.
Naved has an elderly mother, two young children, and a small black puppy that he takes care of. “What will happen tomorrow? If there is no LPG, how will kitchens function?” he wondered. Earlier, he would earn around ₹900 a day after paying for fuel. “I used to complete 25–30 orders daily and get ₹300 as incentive. For the past two days, my earnings have dropped to almost half. How long will this continue?”
The ripple effects of the war in West Asia are already singeing the lives of daily-wage earners trapped in precarious employment.
One by one, roadside eateries are shutting down and food carts are disappearing from the streets. Reports of several restaurants shutting down in Bengaluru, Pune and Mumbai are emerging. The Indian gig economy thrives on an estimated one crore gig workers who feel like they are “being thrown under the bus” with the current supply chain disruptions.
Bindaram Thakur, who delivers meals in the Patel Nagar area of West Delhi, says, “Wherever I go, restaurant owners say they may shut shop soon. Even their workers are worried sick. I only hope the Hormuz nahar opens and ships start bringing supplies again.”
Read | The war in West Asia: What it means for India
Hardest hit
The National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI), worried after commercial LPG supplies came to a standstill following the government’s March 5 order, wrote to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas seeking clarity and urging the government to ensure the availability of commercial LPG cylinders for the hospitality sector.
In a statement in the Lok Sabha, the Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, said that a committee comprising Executive Directors from the three public sector oil companies — IOCL, HPCL and BPCL — was set up on March 9 to regulate the supply of commercial LPG.
“In a major decision, 20% of the average monthly commercial LPG requirement will be allocated from today by OMCs, in coordination with State governments, so that there is no hoarding or black marketing,” the statement said.
In guidelines issued on March 10, the NRAI appealed to restaurants to suspend or reduce items that require “long simmering, deep frying, slow cooking, or multiple burners” and instead adopt batch cooking “instead of multiple small cooking cycles”.
Read | Why is India staring at LPG shortage?
“Till now, none of my orders have been cancelled, but the waiting time has gone up. Restaurants probably wait for many orders before they start cooking a dish like shahi paneer, to cater to several orders at the same time. They keep asking us to wait,” says Bela Rani.
Cylinder cost
“The price of domestic cylinders has also gone up by ₹100. I booked one today. I’ve been told I will have to pay ₹913 for it and it may take five days to be delivered. Last time, I bought it for ₹810,” says Naved.
Read | Why is India staring at LPG shortage?
The full impact may take a few more days to materialise. Meanwhile, induction cooktops are flying off the shelves.
“I don’t think electricity can replace LPG,” says Naved. “Right now restaurant kitchens are still working, but when the supply runs out, I don’t know what will happen.”
Call for protection
“Since gig workers are paid on a task basis, their overall earnings could decline significantly,” the Gig Workers Association (GigWA) said, appealing to consumers ordering food to tip workers generously to help compensate for the loss in their earnings.
It further demanded a moratorium on penalties imposed by food delivery platforms on gig workers.
“Delivery workers and roadside vendors are especially vulnerable to disruptions in gas supply, and I am sure the government will step in to ensure they are not badly affected,” says Nitesh Das, organising secretary of the association.
While food delivery workers might be the first ones to feel the impact, ride-share drivers are beginning to get worried about the domino effect.
“I am sure the price of CNG will also go up. What worries me more is rationing. If CNG is rationed, how will I pay my EMI?” asks Mahesh Kumar Saini, an Uber driver who is suddenly less proud of his new car, which costs him ₹16,000 a month in EMIs. “Can the government ask banks to give us more time and not penalise us? They did that during the lockdown.”
He is worried about the beginning of the new school year. “I have to pay school fees and buy books and uniforms for my two children. That alone will cost about ₹10,000.”
As Mahesh puts it, “This will be like a lockdown without being officially declared.”
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Published – March 22, 2026 04:45 am IST
