Zomato delivery partners’ hourly earnings up nearly 11% in 2025; founder defends gig work model
- ByStartupStory | January 5, 2026
Zomato’s founder and CEO Deepinder Goyal has highlighted an increase in delivery partner earnings as the company faces renewed scrutiny over its gig work arrangements. According to data shared by Goyal, the average hourly income for Zomato delivery partners rose 10.9 per cent in 2025, reaching about ₹102 an hour, up from ₹92 in 2024 excluding customer tips.
Goyal’s comments came amid wider public debate and a reported strike call by gig workers pressing for better pay and working conditions. In a detailed post on social media platform X, the Zomato chief defended the gig-based workforce structure, arguing it offers flexibility and opportunities for supplemental income rather than functioning as a full-time employment arrangement.
Earnings breakdown and flexibility
In his post, Goyal explained that the earnings figures include all logged-in time including periods waiting for orders to provide a realistic view of average income. Based on the 2025 numbers, a delivery partner working 10 hours a day for 26 days could gross around ₹26,500 per month, which, after estimating fuel and maintenance costs at roughly 20 per cent, would equate to about ₹21,000 net monthly earnings.
Zomato’s approach, Goyal stressed, allows partners to determine their own schedules and work hours. He noted that in 2025, most partners logged in for relatively few days, on average 38 days a year, working about seven hours on those days and only a small fraction worked more than 250 days. This, he said, reflects the gig model’s nature as flexible work rather than a conventional full-time job requiring benefits such as pension or guaranteed salaries.
Safety and welfare initiatives
Responding to criticism over delivery speed pressures, especially concerns about unsafe driving linked to short delivery times, Goyal clarified that delivery partners are not shown countdowns or timers for metrics such as 10-minute delivery promises. Instead, any rapid deliveries are attributed to store proximity.
Goyal also pointed to welfare investments Zomato and its quick commerce arm Blinkit have made, including insurance coverage for accidents and medical treatment, and other partner support initiatives. He underlined that these efforts form part of the broader package of protections and benefits for gig workers.
Critics challenge claims
Not all stakeholders are convinced by the company’s portrayal. Labour unions and gig worker representatives have criticised the defense, arguing that without paid leave, social security or long-term protections, the current model falls short of providing “decent work.” A union in Telangana described the situation as unresolved, saying key concerns remain unanswered despite the increase in reported earnings.
The debate over gig work conditions comes amid broader scrutiny of delivery platforms in India, with unions, policymakers and industry figures increasingly focusing on how flexible digital labour models impact worker rights, income stability and safety. As the discussion evolves, both industry and workers are watching how companies like Zomato balance competitive service expectations with demands for improved labour protections.
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