Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal defends ’10-minute delivery’, gig workers say that’s not their concern

Ashok (name changed), a delivery worker in his early fifties who took part in both phases of the strike, claimed that the protest did not have a wider impact because companies were able to re-route orders through nearby dark stores when workers at a particular location stopped work.

“When it was Grofers, we used to get around ₹50 per order. Then it became ₹25. Now, in many cases, it is around ₹12,” he said, adding that workers are compelled to take more orders to meet daily earnings.

Another delivery partner, Sharvan (name changed), who is associated with Blinkit, said he typically works 12–13-hour shifts and delivers around 35–40 orders per day, earning about ₹500–₹600. Asked why the strike did not have a wider impact, he said, “Hum sab strike par the, lekin andar jo pickers hain unko kaam karna padta hai, nahin toh unki ID band kar dete hain (we were on strike, but the pickers inside had to continue working, otherwise their IDs would be blocked).”

While Deepinder Goyal has maintained that quick-commerce systems rely on dense store networks and process design, and do not pressure riders to speed, several workers said that reduced payouts and changing incentive structures leave them dependent on completing a higher number of trips per day, which they believe creates indirect work pressure even without a visible delivery timer.

In a post on social media X, Goyal has said, “After you place your order on Blinkit, it is picked and packed within 2.5 minutes. And then the rider drives an average of under 2kms in about 8 minutes. That’s an average of 15kmph. I understand why everybody thinks why 10 minutes must be risking lives, because it is indeed hard to imagine the sheer complexity of the system design which enables quick deliveries.”

One more thing. Our 10 minute delivery promise is enabled by the density of stores around your homes. It’s not enabled by asking delivery partners to drive fast. Delivery partners don’t even have a timer on their app to indicate what was the original time promised to the…

— Deepinder Goyal (@deepigoyal) January 1, 2026

Responding to Goyal’s remarks, the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union said that high delivery volumes on New Year’s Eve should not be read as a sign of worker satisfaction, but as “desperation”, arguing that many delivery partners continue working because they cannot afford to log out.

In a series of posts on X, the union said per-order earnings have declined over the years and that workers now rely on long 10–14 hour shifts and incentive-linked pay to meet minimum income levels. It also raised concerns around the absence of paid leave and social security benefits, and alleged instances of “algorithmic blocking without due process”. The union said the presence of workers during peak hours reflects economic compulsion rather than fair working conditions, adding that “choice without security is not a choice”.

Dear @deepigoyal ji, Record deliveries don’t prove fairness—only desperation.

75 lakh orders were delivered because workers cannot afford to log out, not because the system treats them justly.

Choice without security is not a choice. 1/3 https://t.co/fFGVTrC25S pic.twitter.com/jOSNcQwCb9

— Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (@TGPWU) January 1, 2026

In a response to questions by a user on X about insurance, accountability and delivery timelines, Goyal said all delivery partners are covered under “medical and life insurance”, and described platform work as a short-term, transitional occupation rather than a permanent job. He added that anyone with a valid driving licence and background verification can join as a gig worker, and that “nothing happens if they don’t deliver on time,” as the company understands that delays occur.

On its part, the Centre has taken steps toward formal recognition of gig and platform workers under the new labour codes. The Code on Social Security requires aggregators to contribute 1–2 per cent of their turnover to a social security fund to finance welfare schemes for such workers, who are also eligible for government-notified accident insurance, health and maternity benefits.

In a separate post, Goyal had also said Zomato and Blinkit recorded their “highest-ever” delivery volumes that night, despite what he described as “rumours of strikes”.

Goyal later posted that he supports peaceful protest but stopping someone who willingly wants to work is not okay.

I am all for peaceful protests against anything and everything. But violent protests and stopping others who want to work from working is not okay (proof attached).

Here’s what we know – a number of these protestors were not even our delivery partners. They were agents of… https://t.co/hqTw9iKRzI pic.twitter.com/VS86Y8WRhm

— Deepinder Goyal (@deepigoyal) January 2, 2026