Swiggy, Zomato hike payout for gig workers amid nationwide strike

As India gears up for New Year’s Eve celebrations, major food delivery giants Zomato and Swiggy are locked in a struggle to maintain service stability. The Telangana Gig and Platform Workers’ Union (TGPWU) and the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT) have called for a nationwide strike demanding better payouts and improved working conditions. With lakhs of workers expected to join the protest, industry experts fear significant disruptions for food delivery and quick commerce apps like Blinkit, Zepto, and Instamart on their busiest night of the year.

To counter the strike's impact, Zomato has introduced significantly higher payouts, offering delivery partners between ₹120 and ₹150 per order during the peak hours of 6 pm to midnight. The company has also stated that a dedicated rider could earn up to ₹3,000 in a single day, depending on the volume of orders. In a move to reduce pressure on workers, Zomato has temporarily waived penalties for order cancellations and denials, a move they describe as a standard year-end operating protocol.

Swiggy has mirrored this strategy by advertising even more aggressive incentive structures. The platform is offering its delivery partners the opportunity to earn up to ₹10,000 over the combined period of December 31 and January 1. Specifically for New Year's Eve, Swiggy is highlighting potential earnings of ₹2,000 for the six-hour peak window. By boosting these financial rewards, Swiggy aims to ensure that enough riders remain on the road to meet the massive surge in consumer demand for party food and groceries.