**Title:** Zomato’s Deepinder Goyal Defends Gig Worker Compensation Amid Strike Calls
**Meta Description:** Sanjeev Bikhchandani supports Zomato’s gig worker compensation efforts, addressing recent strike calls and emphasizing ongoing discussions on worker welfare.
**URL Slug:** zomato-gig-worker-compensation-strike
**Headline:** Zomato’s Deepinder Goyal and Sanjeev Bikhchandani Address Gig Worker Welfare Amid Strike Calls
In a recent development, Sanjeev Bikhchandani, the founder of Naukri.com and Non-Executive Director at Zomato, has voiced his support for Zomato’s founder, Deepinder Goyal, in light of a renewed call for gig workers to strike. Bikhchandani took to social media platform X to highlight the ongoing discussions regarding the compensation and welfare of delivery partners, emphasizing that these topics are a priority for both the management and the board.
Bikhchandani criticized those behind the strike call, suggesting they could have sought information directly rather than resorting to a social media campaign. “Thanks for putting out these details in public, @deepigoyal. I can attest that discussions on delivery partner welfare and fair compensation take up a significant portion of our board meetings. The management and board are genuinely concerned about these issues,” he stated.
This exchange follows Goyal’s recent disclosure of data concerning Zomato’s gig model. He reported that the average hourly earnings for delivery partners rose by approximately 10.9% year-on-year in 2025, reaching ₹102 compared to ₹92 in 2024. These figures, which do not include tips, indicate a consistent growth in earnings for gig workers over time.
Goyal elaborated on the financial structure of the gig model, explaining that if a delivery partner works 10 hours a day for 26 days a month, their gross earnings would amount to around ₹26,500. After accounting for approximately 20% in fuel and maintenance costs, the net earnings would be about ₹21,000 per month. These calculations consider total logged-in hours, including waiting time.
He also pointed out the flexible nature of gig work, noting that the average delivery partner worked 38 days in 2025, averaging seven hours per day. Only 2.3% of partners worked more than 250 days that year. Goyal remarked that demanding full-time employee benefits, such as provident fund contributions or guaranteed salaries, does not align with the gig model’s purpose, which is designed to offer a flexible earning option rather than a long-term commitment.
Addressing safety concerns related to quick commerce, Goyal clarified that the promises of 10-minute deliveries do not pressure workers into unsafe driving. Delivery partners are not exposed to customer-facing time promises or countdown timers, with delivery speed being more about store proximity than road speed. In 2025, the average distance per Blinkit order was 2.03 km, with an average driving speed of 16 km/h, while Zomato recorded average speeds of 21 km/h.
Goyal also mentioned that Zomato and Blinkit have invested over ₹100 crore in insurance, further demonstrating their commitment to the welfare of their gig workforce.
**FAQ Section:**
**Q: What are the recent developments regarding gig worker compensation at Zomato?**
A: Sanjeev Bikhchandani and Deepinder Goyal have emphasized that discussions on gig worker compensation and welfare are ongoing priorities for Zomato’s management and board, especially in light of recent strike calls.