As conversations around gig worker rights and working conditions grow louder across India, Deepinder Goyal, founder and CEO of Zomato, has stepped forward to clarify the company’s position on delivery partner earnings, work flexibility and the much-debated 10-minute delivery model.
Goyal shared a detailed explanation highlighting how Zomato’s gig ecosystem functions, aiming to counter claims that delivery workers are underpaid or pushed into unsafe working practices. His remarks come at a time when gig worker unions and labour activists are demanding stronger safeguards, minimum pay guarantees and social security benefits for platform-based workers.
Average Earnings of Delivery Partners Are Improving
One of the most discussed points in Goyal’s explanation was delivery partner earnings. According to him, the average earnings per hour for Zomato delivery partners have shown a steady rise. The average hourly payout increased from ₹92 last year to around ₹102 currently, reflecting an annual growth of nearly 11 percent.
He also clarified that delivery partners receive the full amount of customer tips without any deductions, and the tips are credited instantly. To explain how this translates into monthly income, Goyal said a delivery partner working roughly 10 hours a day for 26 days can earn close to ₹26,500 in gross income. After accounting for fuel and maintenance expenses, the net monthly earnings still remain around ₹21,000, which he described as competitive for flexible gig work.
Gig Work Is Designed to Be Flexible, Not Fixed
Responding to demands for fixed salaries and employee-style benefits, Goyal reiterated that gig work is fundamentally different from traditional full-time employment. Delivery partners are not bound by compulsory shifts or long-term contracts and have the freedom to choose their working hours and locations.
Data shared by the company suggests that most delivery partners work intermittently. On average, a delivery partner logged in for only about 38 days in the year, working nearly seven hours on each active day. A very small fraction worked for most of the year, indicating that for many, food delivery serves as a supplementary income source rather than a full-time job.
Goyal argued that applying a conventional employment framework to gig work may reduce flexibility and limit earning opportunities for individuals who rely on such platforms for part-time income.
No Delivery Timers Shown to Riders, Says Goyal
The issue of 10-minute deliveries has drawn particular criticism, with concerns that such promises encourage unsafe riding behaviour. Addressing this directly, Goyal stated that delivery partners are not shown countdown timers or deadlines that pressure them to rush.
According to him, faster deliveries are enabled mainly by dense warehouse networks and nearby partner stores rather than higher riding speeds. He maintained that rider safety remains a priority and that the delivery timelines are designed around infrastructure efficiency, not risk-taking by delivery partners.
Welfare Measures and Insurance Coverage
Goyal also highlighted the welfare initiatives provided to delivery partners. Zomato and its quick-commerce arm have spent over ₹100 crore on insurance coverage, including accident protection, hospitalisation support and income loss compensation.
Additional initiatives include maternity benefits, rest days for women delivery partners, tax assistance programmes and pension-linked benefits. The company claims these measures are aimed at creating a support system without compromising the flexibility that gig workers value.
Mixed Reactions From Gig Worker Groups
Despite the clarification, several gig worker unions and labour representatives continue to challenge Zomato’s claims. They argue that fluctuating incentives and variable demand lead to unpredictable incomes, forcing workers to stay logged in longer to earn stable pay. Unions have termed the current system “unsustainable” and continue to push for regulatory oversight and minimum earning guarantees.
As India’s gig economy expands rapidly, the debate around fair pay, flexibility and worker protection is likely to intensify. While platforms emphasise autonomy and scalability, workers and policymakers are increasingly focused on ensuring long-term income security and safety in the evolving digital labour market.