Deepinder Goyal is currently in the middle of a massive PR firestorm, and as of Saturday, January 3, 2026, he’s not backing down. After the double-whammy strikes on Christmas and New Year’s Eve, the Zomato boss took to X (formerly Twitter) to drop a “fact sheet” that basically says: The system isn’t broken; you just don’t understand how gig work functions.
The thing is, Goyal is framing the whole delivery ecosystem as a “supplementary income” playground, while unions are screaming that people are trying to survive on it. Or nothing. Let’s be real, telling someone they made ₹102 an hour sounds decent on a spreadsheet, but once you factor in the Delhi heat or the Mumbai rains, the math feels different. Those too.
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The “Earnings & Hours” Log: Field Notes
It’s an ongoing situation where the company is trying to prove that delivery partners aren’t “overworked” employees, but “flexible” entrepreneurs.
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The Pay Bump: Goyal claims hourly earnings hit ₹102 in 2025, up from ₹92. That’s a 10.9% jump.
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The Full-Time Myth: According to Zomato’s data, the average rider only worked 38 days in the entire year.
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The “Net” Math: He argues that a dedicated rider working 10 hours a day for 26 days could take home ₹21,000 net (after fuel and maintenance).
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The Kicker: Only 2.3% of their riders actually work more than 250 days a year. He’s using this to shut down demands for PF (Provident Fund) or fixed salaries.
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Safety vs. The 10-Minute Myth
And here’s the kicker: the 10-minute delivery promise is the biggest bone of contention.
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The Speed Defense: Goyal says Blinkit riders average 16 kmph because the “dark stores” are so close to your house.
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No Timers: He insists riders don’t see a countdown. If your food is late, the rider doesn’t get penalized—the system just takes the hit.
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The Welfare Spend: Zomato reportedly spent ₹100 crore on insurance premiums in 2025. This covers everything from ₹10 lakh in accident cover to maternity benefits for the growing number of women riders.
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The Union Pushback
[Table: Zomato vs. The Unions (TGPWU/IFAT)]
| Issue | Zomato’s Stance | Union’s Reality Check |
| Hourly Pay | ₹102/hour is a fair, rising wage. | Payouts have dropped from ₹50/order to as low as ₹12–15. |
| 10-Min Delivery | Enabled by store density, not speed. | Encourages risky driving and “hidden” algorithm pressure. |
| Social Security | We offer insurance and NPS access. | We want PF, ESI, and legal “employee” status. |
| Strikes | Backed by “0.1% miscreants.” | Nationwide movement for “dignity of labor.” |
The Government’s “90-Day Rule”
It’s an ongoing situation where the government just dropped a bombshell draft rule on January 2. They’re proposing that gig workers need to work at least 90 days a year with one platform to qualify for central social security benefits. If you’re a “true” gig worker (like Goyal’s 38-day average), you might still be left out of the safety net.
Basically, Goyal is asking, “Is this unfair?” while the unions are preparing for a legal battle that could redefine what a “job” actually looks like in 2026.
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End…
