As debates over gig-worker rights intensify across India, Zomato founder and CEO Deepinder Goyal has outlined the company’s stance on delivery partner earnings, work flexibility and the contested 10‑minute delivery model, aiming to clarify how the platform’s gig ecosystem operates amid demands for greater protections.
Average earnings rising, tips fully passed through
Goyal said average hourly earnings for Zomato delivery partners have risen from about ₹92 last year to roughly ₹102 now, an increase of nearly 11% year-on-year. He emphasised that customer tips are paid in full to partners without deductions and are credited instantly.
Using a typical example, he said a partner working around 10 hours a day for 26 days could generate roughly ₹26,500 in gross monthly income; after fuel and maintenance costs, net earnings would be approximately ₹21,000. The company presents this as a competitive level for flexible gig work, noting variability across cities and individuals.
Flexibility vs. traditional employment
Responding to calls for fixed salaries and employee-style benefits, Goyal reiterated that gig work is designed to offer flexibility rather than replicate full‑time employment. Delivery partners are not tied to mandatory shifts or long-term contracts and can choose when and where to work.
Zomato’s internal data indicate many partners work intermittently: on average, a partner logged in for about 38 days in the year, with nearly seven hours worked on active days. A small minority worked year‑round, suggesting that for many individuals delivery is supplementary income rather than a primary job. Goyal warned that enforcing traditional employment rules could reduce flexibility and potentially limit earning opportunities for part‑time participants.
10‑minute delivery model and rider safety
Addressing safety concerns around the so‑called 10‑minute delivery promise, Goyal said delivery partners are not shown countdown timers or strict deadlines that would pressure them to speed. He attributed faster deliveries primarily to denser fulfilment infrastructure and proximity of partner stores, rather than to risk‑taking by riders.
The company maintains that rider safety is a priority and that delivery timelines are driven by operational efficiency — such as micro‑warehouses and inventory placement — rather than incentives that encourage unsafe behaviour.
Welfare measures and insurance
Goyal outlined welfare initiatives Zomato has rolled out, saying the platform and its quick‑commerce arm have spent over ₹100 crore on insurance coverage. Policies include accident protection, hospitalisation support and compensation for income loss.
Additional measures cited include maternity benefits, dedicated rest days for women delivery partners, tax assistance programmes and pension‑linked benefits. The company frames these steps as efforts to build a support system while preserving the flexibility many gig workers value.
Worker groups remain sceptical
Despite Zomato’s clarifications, several gig‑worker unions and labour activists continue to dispute the company’s position. They point to variable incentives and demand, arguing that unpredictable earnings compel partners to remain logged in longer to secure adequate income.
Unions have called the present framework “unsustainable” and continue to push for regulatory oversight, minimum earning guarantees and broader social security for platform‑based workers.
Wider context
India’s gig economy is expanding rapidly, bringing complex trade‑offs between flexibility, income stability and worker safety. As platforms emphasise autonomy and scalability, policymakers, worker groups and industry stakeholders are increasingly focused on designing frameworks that balance flexibility with enforceable protections, predictable pay and basic social security.
