Zomato CEO Backs Gig Economy Model, Highlights 10.9% Pay Raise for Delivery Partners

Deepinder Goyal, the founder and CEO of Zomato, issued a thorough five-point statement on X to defend the company's gig work model. He described how delivery partners are compensated, why riders are not put under strain by the 10-minute delivery guarantee, and how flexible schedules and welfare benefits make gig employment a stable source of income. Delivery partners made an average of INR 102 per hour (not including gratuities) in 2025, a 10.9% rise from INR 92 in 2024.

Gross profits for individuals who work longer hours, such as 10 hours a day, 26 days a month, could be approximately INR 26,500, or INR 21,000 after maintenance and gasoline expenses. Additionally, partners retain all consumer tips, with an average hourly rate of INR 2.6 in 2025.

Flexible Working Hours

Goyal explained in his post that the majority of delivery partners only log in for a few hours on specific days. In 2025, the typical partner worked seven hours a day, 38 days a year, with very few working more than 250 days. Partners are allowed to log in and out and select their own workspaces and schedules. Because of its flexibility, gig labour can be a dependable source of extra cash rather than a strict full-time job, enabling employees to make money while juggling other obligations.

Goyal addressed worries that claims of 10-minute delivery could result in reckless driving. Partners never see a countdown or timer in the app, he explained. Rather than because riders are compelled to speed, quick deliveries occur because retailers are close to customers. Zomato deliveries were somewhat faster at 21 kmph, whereas Blinkit orders took 8 minutes at 16 kmph and averaged 2 km per delivery. He pointed out that platforms, riders, consumers, and law enforcement continue to share responsibility for road safety.

Goyal Backs Gig Workers

According to Goyal, Zomato and Blinkit spent more than INR 100 crore on delivery partner insurance in 2025, which covered medical care, accidents, lost wages, and maternity benefits. In addition, a number of other benefits are provided, such as two paid days off, assistance with income tax filing for 95,000 female employees and their partners, access to the gig-adapted National Pension Scheme for 54,000 employees and their partners, and SOS emergency assistance for theft, car breakdowns, and accidents.

Goyal reposted a piece by Amitabh Kant showing how the gig economy in India has grown from 7.7 million jobs today to 23.5 million by 2030. Raghav Chadha and the AAP have criticised gig employment as exploitative, and Kant's remarks address their criticism. Goyal emphasised that India's gig and quick-commerce platforms are among the biggest drivers of job creation in the nation and cautioned that politicising the industry might lead to job destruction, slow down quick commerce, and force workers into dangerous informal work.