Policy · Commerce & Consumer Brands

Zomato defends gig worker insurance amid protests

By Startup Enthusiast · 2 January 2026

What they do

CEO Deepinder Goyal said the company paid Rs 100 crore in insurance premiums for gig workers last year

The declaration came as unions protested for better wages and working conditions on New Year's Eve

Zomato and Blinkit delivered over 75 lakh orders that day, an all-time high

Zomato and Blinkit paid Rs 100 crore in insurance premiums last year for gig workers.
CEO Deepinder Goyal made the declaration amid a storm over gig worker wellbeing.
Goyal said premiums are borne entirely by the company, with benefits administered at record speed.
Zomato's insurance covers accident up to INR 10 lakh, medical INR 1 lakh, OPD INR 5,000, loss-of-pay up to INR 50,000, and maternity up to INR 40,000.
Delivery partner Mohammad Shahnawaz was seriously injured in Hyderabad and is still awaiting insurance coverage.
Unions like TGPWA protested on New Year's Eve and Christmas Eve, demanding better wages and working conditions.
Despite strike calls, Zomato and Blinkit delivered 75 lakh+ orders on New Year's Eve, an all-time high.
Goyal said speed is driven by infrastructure, not pressure on riders, and that all delivery partners are insured.

The government has floated draft guidelines under the Code on Social Security 2020 for life and health insurance benefits to platform workers.
Platforms are not legally obligated to provide insurance, only to allocate a portion of turnover to social benefits.
The debate highlights the tension between platform flexibility and worker protections.

Zomato is India's #1 food delivery app, offering online ordering and much more on the app.
Blinkit offers 30,000+ products delivered at your doorstep.
District offers the best of events, movies, dining, and everything you love.
Zomato's average earnings per hour rose to Rs 102 in 2025, excluding tips.
Average earnings per hour increased from Rs 92 in 2024, a year-on-year growth of about 10.9%.
Delivery partners receive 100% of customer tips, with no deductions.
Zomato offers insurance, NPS access, SOS support, and rising hourly earnings, all paid by the platform.
Nearly 4.7 lakh gig workers are enlisted with Zomato and Blinkit per Eternal's annual report FY25.

Eternal kicked off a nationwide drive to register workers with government schemes.
Goyal expects senior team members to be obsessive about work, not think of it as a job.