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Gig Worker Strikes Spur Policy Push as Zomato Chief Defends 10‑Minute Deliveries

New Labour Ministry draft rules proposing eligibility thresholds for social security put regulatory reform at the center of the gig-work dispute.

Overview

  • Draft rules circulated for comment would qualify gig and platform workers for social-security coverage after at least 90 days with one aggregator or 120 days across multiple aggregators in a financial year.
  • Zomato’s Deepinder Goyal said 10‑minute deliveries rely on dense store networks rather than speeding, cited average partner earnings of ₹102 per hour in 2025, and reported over ₹100 crore spent on insurance premiums.
  • Worker unions and riders countered that per‑order payouts have fallen to as low as ₹12 in some cases and said many now work 10–14 hour shifts reliant on incentives, describing continued work during peaks as economic compulsion.
  • Platforms reported operations continued on New Year’s Eve with around 75 lakh combined deliveries at Zomato and Blinkit, while union leaders claimed significant delays during strike actions.
  • Amitabh Kant and other industry voices backed the sector as a major job creator projected to reach 23.5 million roles by 2030, as policy commentators urged a middle path focused on enforceable insurance, fatigue controls and transparent incentives.