Archive · 4 Jan 2026
Zomato Releases Gig Workers' Earnings Data
Zomato's CEO, Deepinder Goyal, shared a detailed report on how much their delivery workers earn.
He said that on average, workers make ₹102 per hour in 2025, which is a bit more than last year.
This includes tips, which are extra money from customers.
Some people, like a YouTuber named Dhruv Rathee, asked for this information to make sure workers are paid fairly.
Another business leader, Sanjeev Bikhchandani, supported Goyal and said that companies care about worker welfare.
The report also talked about how workers can choose their own hours and areas to work, and that they get insurance and other benefits.
Some workers and activists have been asking for better pay and safer working conditions, and this report is part of that discussion.
Amitabh Kant, a former government official, said that the gig economy is important for job creation and that politicizing it could harm workers.
He argued that the gig economy is consumer-led and that workers choose this type of work.
On the other hand, AAP MP Raghav Chadha met with protesting workers and supported their demands for fair pay and better working conditions.
The debate continues, with different perspectives on the gig economy's impact and the best way to support workers.
Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal shared a fact sheet detailing the average income of delivery partners, showing a 10.9% year-on-year increase in earnings per hour, with average earnings at ₹102 in 2025, up from ₹92 in 2024.
Goyal clarified that earnings per hour are calculated on total logged-in time, including waiting periods, and that tips form an additional component of earnings, averaging ₹2.6 per hour in 2025.
Amitabh Kant, former NITI Aayog CEO, defended the gig economy, stating that it is a significant job-creation engine projected to grow from 7.7 million to 23.5 million by 2030, and that politicizing it could harm workers and the economy.
AAP MP Raghav Chadha met with protesting gig workers and supported their demands for fair pay, humane working conditions, and social security, arguing that the gig economy should not become a 'guilt-free exploitation economy'.
Sanjeev Bikhchandani, co-founder of Info Edge, supported Goyal's post, criticizing those who questioned gig worker pay and working conditions, and accusing them of having political motives.
- Who
- Deepinder Goyal (Zomato CEO), Amitabh Kant (Former NITI Aayog CEO), Raghav Chadha (AAP MP), Sanjeev Bikhchandani (Info Edge co-founder), Gig workers
- What
- Zomato releases detailed earnings data of gig workers, addressing concerns about pay and working conditions, amidst a debate over the gig economy's impact and the 10-minute delivery model.
- When
- January 2, 2026 (data shared on X)
- Where
- India, social media platform X
- Why
- To provide transparency and address debates around gig worker pay, working conditions, and the gig economy's growth and impact.
Pro-Gig Economy
Pro-Gig Workers' Rights
Gig Economy Growth
Pro-Gig Economy
The gig economy is a significant job-creation engine, projected to grow from 7.7 million to 23.5 million by 2030, and should be allowed to function with strengthened safety nets.
Pro-Gig Workers' Rights
The gig economy exploits workers with low pay, poor working conditions, and lack of social security, and needs regulatory intervention to ensure fair treatment.
10-Minute Delivery Model
Pro-Gig Economy
The 10-minute delivery promise is enabled by store density and system design, not by pressuring workers to drive unsafely, and delivery partners do not have countdown timers on their apps.
Pro-Gig Workers' Rights
The 10-minute delivery model puts pressure on workers to drive unsafely and compromises their safety and well-being.
Worker Compensation
Pro-Gig Economy
Gig workers earn an average of ₹102 per hour (excluding tips) in 2025, with a 10.9% year-on-year increase, and have the flexibility to choose their work areas and log-in times.
Pro-Gig Workers' Rights
Gig workers earn low wages (around ₹21,000 net monthly income for 260 hours of work) with no social security, paid leave, or accident cover, and tips are minimal.
- Key Figures
- Deepinder Goyal (Zomato CEO), Amitabh Kant (Former NITI Aayog CEO), Raghav Chadha (AAP MP), Sanjeev Bikhchandani (Info Edge co-founder), Bipin Preet Singh (Mobikwik CEO)
- Platform
- X (formerly Twitter)
- Average Earnings per Hour (2025)
- ₹102 (excluding tips)
- Average Earnings per Hour (2024)
- ₹92 (excluding tips)
- Average Tip per Hour (2025)
- ₹2.6
- Average Tip per Hour (2024)
- ₹2.4
- Average Working Days per Year (2025)
- 38 days
- Average Working Hours per Day (2025)
- 7 hours
- Estimated Gross Monthly Income (10 hours/day, 26 days/month)
- ₹26,500
- Estimated Net Monthly Income (after costs)
- ₹21,000
- Insurance Coverage for Delivery Partners (2025)
- ₹100 crore
- Insurance Benefits
- Accident insurance up to ₹10 lakh, medical cover of ₹1 lakh plus OPD, loss-of-pay insurance up to ₹50,000, and maternity cover up to ₹40,000
- Gig Jobs Projection by 2030
- 23.5 million
- Current Gig Jobs
- 7.7 million
- Orders Delivered on December 31, 2025
- Over 75 lakh by Zomato and Blinkit
Sources
Gig economy: Info Edge co-founder Sanjeev Bikhchandani sides with Zomato's Deepender Goyal - 'Every word is true'
Zomato's Deepinder Goyal responds to Dhruv Rathee, agrees to share fact sheet on gig workers' average hourly earnings
Zomato shares insights on gig worker earnings patterns and delivery safety
‘Half knowledge is dangerous’: Info Edge founder backs Deepinder Goyal amid gig worker pay row
Deepinder Goyal reveals average income of Zomato delivery partners amid gig economy debate, shares 'fact sheet'
₹100 crore on insurance, flexible hours: Deepinder Goyal makes case for Zomato’s gig economy model
Deepinder Goyal’s strike defence draws online ire, finds backing in startup circles
When ‘fair’ is tone-deaf
Zomato's Deepinder Goyal's 5 points on gig workers' salaries, 10-minute delivery pressure: ‘Hardest challenge is…’
Gig workers union fact checks Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal's delivery partner pay claim: ‘No paid leave, accident cover’
‘Rs 81/hr, no paid leave, no accident cover’: Gig association torch Deepinder Goyal’s salary breakup post
'No social security, no paid insurance': TGPWA counters Deepinder Goyal's claim on delivery partner pay
'Suited them and their political agenda': Entrepreneur Sanjeev Bikhchandani questions motive behind gig workers strike call
‘Six lies wrapped in corporate feel-good morality’: Deepinder Goyal faces backlash over gig work comments
'Gig jobs to grow to 23.5 mn by 2030': Amitabh Kant makes big prediction, backs Zomato's Deepinder Goyal
'Politicising Gig Economy Will Kill...': Amitabh Kant Labels AAP 'Job Killer', Makes Big Prediction
Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal backs gig economy, says it forces consumers to confront inequality: ‘Visibility is the price of progress’
‘Zomato CEO using ChatGPT and it’s working,’ viral post claims how AI is changing communication tactics
"Delivery Agents Not Overworked": Zomato CEO Defends Gig Work Model
'Politicising Gig Economy Will Kill Quick Commerce, Destroy Jobs': NITI Aayog CEO
Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal defends ’10-minute delivery’, gig workers say that’s not their concern
Gig workers earn Rs 102 per hour: Deepinder Goyal
Rich want over-regulation to make the poor invisible: Zomato founder Deepinder Goyal opens up on gig work debate
'Gig Model Does Not Pressure Riders, Flexible Schedules & Welfare Benefits Make Reliable Source Of Income': Zomato CEO
Deepinder Goyal's single-word response: Zomato founder accused of sharing AI-generated emotional post about gig workers
‘Anarchists’ vs ‘dignity’: Mohandas Pai, Raghav Chadha trade barbs over gig worker strikes
‘If gig economy shuts, millions lose income’: CEO slams politicians on job creation amid raging debate
Gig model doesn't pressure riders, flexitime work reliable income source for many: Deepinder Goyal
After gig strikes, Eternal’s Goyal defends delivery model with earnings, safety data
'Hostages Without Helmets': Raghav Chadha Reiterates Support For Gig Workers
Capitalism vs Socialism debate reignites as Deepinder Goyal, Kunal Shah and Dhruv Rathee weigh in
'Many questions remain unanswered': Gig workers union reacts to Deepinder Goyal's post on wages, 10-minute delivery
‘Not just insulting, it is dangerous…’: Raghav Chadha slams delivery platforms response to gig workers strike