‘Gig work offers flexibility, steady earnings’

Amid an ongoing debate on gig workers’ payouts and working conditions, Eternal Founder and CEO Deepinder Goyal said the gig model does not pressure delivery partners and remains a reliable income source due to flexible schedules and welfare support. Eternal owns food delivery platform Zomato and quick commerce firm Blinkit.

Goyal’s remarks come as gig workers’ unions continue to protest, demanding higher payouts and safer working conditions. He said the company has consistently increased support for delivery partners, including insurance coverage and earnings. In 2025, Zomato and Blinkit spent over Rs 100 crore on insurance for delivery partners. Average earnings per hour on Zomato rose to Rs 102 in 2025 from Rs 92 in 2024, reflecting a year-on-year increase of nearly 11 per cent, he said in a post on X.

Addressing concerns around 10-minute deliveries, Goyal maintained that such service promises do not force riders to rush. He said the platform allows partners to choose their working hours freely, making gig work suitable for those seeking flexible engagement rather than fixed employment.

However, his comments triggered mixed reactions online, with some users alleging that short delivery timelines encourage rash driving and traffic violations. The Gig & Platform Services Workers’ Union has also urged the government to discontinue rapid delivery mandates, citing safety risks.

Goyal argued for lighter regulation of the gig economy, stating that excessive rules could undermine its flexible nature. He noted that in 2025, the average delivery partner worked only 38 days in the year, for about seven hours per working day, with just 2.3 per cent working more than 250 days.

He added that a partner working 10 hours a day for 26 days could earn around Rs 21,000 a month after expenses. India currently has an estimated 12.7 million gig workers, a number expected to grow significantly in the coming years.