Gig Workers Union Disputes Zomato CEO’s Claims on Earnings

New Delhi, 3 January. The Telangana-based Gig Workers Union has rejected the claims made by Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal defending the company’s delivery model, stating that the ground reality is very different.

The union’s statement comes shortly after Goyal shared on social media platform X how delivery partners of Zomato and Blinkit earn their income.

He said that in 2025, delivery partners earned an average of ₹102 per hour (excluding tips), which is 10.9 percent higher compared to ₹92 per hour in 2024.

The CEO added, “This is a 10.9 percent increase from last year. There has been a consistent rise in hourly earnings over the long term.”

Goyal also mentioned that delivery partners are free to choose their working hours, receive all tips from customers, and are not forced into unsafe driving for 10-minute delivery services.

He highlighted benefits such as insurance coverage and pension support provided by the company.

However, Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Association (TGPWA) dismissed these claims, saying the actual conditions for riders are quite different.

In a post on social media platform X, the union stated that after deducting expenses like fuel and vehicle maintenance, the real earnings drop to about ₹81 per hour.

According to the association, a delivery partner working 10 hours daily for 26 days earns roughly ₹21,000 per month.

The union also pointed out that delivery partners do not receive guaranteed paid leave, social security benefits, or accident insurance.

They questioned Goyal’s emphasis on tips, noting that only about 5 percent of orders on Zomato receive tips, limiting additional income for most riders.

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ABS/