Food Delivery Giants Raise Incentives as Gig Workers Continue Nationwide Strike
With a nationwide strike by gig workers disrupting food and grocery deliveries, leading delivery platforms Swiggy and Zomato have announced increased incentives to motivate their workforce during the high-demand New Year’s Eve period.
According to company sources, Zomato has raised its peak-hour payouts to ₹120–₹150 per order for deliveries made between 6 pm and 12 am on December 31. The company also assured total earnings of up to ₹3,000 per day, depending on the number of completed orders and delivery availability.
No Penalty for Refusing Orders
Zomato has also announced a temporary waiver on penalties for delivery partners who refuse or cancel orders. The company described this as part of its standard operating protocol during festivities and year-end surges.
“This is part of our annual festive operating model that allows riders to maximize earnings without fear of penalties,” a Zomato spokesperson told PTI.
Swiggy Offers Bonuses Up to ₹10,000
In a similar move, Swiggy has rolled out special incentives worth up to ₹10,000 for delivery agents covering December 31 and January 1. The platform aims to ensure operational continuity amid the ongoing protest and increasing order demand during festive evenings.
Industry insiders say these incentives are designed to encourage participation despite the nationwide strike that could affect over one lakh delivery partners across states including Telangana, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Delhi-NCR, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu.
Nationwide Strike Continues Despite Festive Demand
According to reports by ANI and PTI, delivery workers remain on strike under the call by the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU) and the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT).
The unions are demanding better pay, social security, and recognition as formal employees. Despite this, analysts believe many workers may still log in due to higher earning opportunities during festive nights.
Karan Taurani, Executive Vice President at Elara Capital, notes,
“While participation in strikes is high, the New Year period offers strong monetary incentives. Many workers will likely continue deliveries.”
Top Reasons Behind Gig Workers’ Protests
Union leaders highlight five major grievances driving the current unrest:
-
Lack of social security benefits such as health insurance or provident fund.
-
Declining per-order incentives, which have fallen from ₹40–₹60 to ₹15–₹25.
-
Strain of quick-commerce deadlines, forcing risky deliveries.
-
Arbitrary blocking of IDs, leaving riders jobless without warning.
-
Unclear legal status, as workers seek recognition as employees rather than “partners.”
Impact on Deliveries and Revenue
Analysts predict that the strike’s biggest impact will be seen in South Indian metro cities, where food and quick-commerce apps rely heavily on local riders. Order volumes are expected to drop by 10–20%, though the overall national revenue impact could remain moderate—around 0.3–0.7%.
Despite the challenges, both Swiggy and Zomato are optimistic about maintaining delivery continuity through incentives, extended support, and operational flexibility.
