Zomato hikes delivery worker incentives for December 31 as company braces for higher order volumes on New Year’s Eve

Food delivery platform Zomato has increased incentives for its delivery partners during peak hours and year-end days, anticipating an increase in demand during the festive season.

The move comes on a day when gig workers across India, including delivery partners working with platforms such as Zomato and Swiggy, went on strike to protest low wages, lack of social security and poor working conditions, even as the platforms gear up for higher order volumes on New Year’s Eve.

However, Zomato said the incentive increase had nothing to do with the strike. In a statement live mintThe enhanced payments announced for Dec. 31 are part of its standard operating process, the company said.

“This is part of our standard annual operating protocol during festive periods, which typically see higher earning opportunities due to increased demand,” said a spokesperson for Zomato’s parent company Eternal.

Also Read | ‘Paisa nahi milta’: Swiggy and Zomato delivery partners on nationwide strike today

How much will Zomato delivery partners earn on New Year’s Eve?

According to a social media post on Zomato’s official delivery partner page, over 23,000 gig workers earned over 100,000 in revenue ₹1,500 on December 25.

Zomato expects its delivery partners to earn so far: ₹In another post on the page, it was stated that there were 3,000 individual units during the day on New Year’s Eve.

Also Read | Gig workers’ all-India strike on Christmas and New Year’s Eve: What you need to know

The company offers delivery partners ₹120-150 per order during peak hours between 6pm and 12pm, according to people familiar with the matter.

Additionally, Zomato has also waived penalties for order cancellations and rejections, in a move aimed at reducing the risk of revenue loss during periods of irregular order flow and high demand.

What does Swiggy do for its delivery partners?

Swiggy also announced that incentives have been increased. According to a PTI According to a report by people familiar with the matter, the platform provides delivery partners with ₹10,000 on December 31 and January 1.

Answer to questions live mintSwiggy said the incentives are part of standard business practice.

“At Swiggy, we are committed to empowering our delivery partners. As part of our standard process, enhanced incentives are being introduced on special occasions like festivals, allowing delivery partners to benefit from increased earning opportunities during peak demand periods throughout the year,” the company said in a statement.

Platform advertises peak hour earnings ₹2,000 for the six-hour window between 6 pm and 12 pm on New Year’s Eve to ensure adequate passenger availability during one of the busiest order periods of the year, according to a PTI report.

Factory workers are going on strike today

Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU) and Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT) claimed that hundreds of thousands of workers are set to join the nationwide strike demanding better wages and improved working conditions.

Also Read | 28 deliveries, ₹763 paid: Raghav Chadha flags gig work as ‘systemic exploitation’

According to industry sources, the strike could affect the operations of food delivery and fast food companies such as Zomato, Swiggy, Blinkit, Instamart and Zepto on New Year’s Eve, when demand is at an all-time high. PTI.