Zomato and Swiggy Boost Delivery Partner Earnings Amid Strike Threat

Zomato and Swiggy announced higher payouts for delivery partners to counter strike threats on New Year’s Eve. Unions representing gig workers had urged riders to log off, demanding fair wages, social security, safer delivery practices, and protection against arbitrary suspensions. The strike impacted operations across Zomato, Swiggy, Blinkit, Instamart, and Zepto in multiple cities. To ensure rider availability, Zomato offered Rs 120–150 per order during peak hours and up to Rs 3,000 daily earnings, while Swiggy rolled out incentives allowing partners to earn up to Rs 10,000 between December 31 and January 1. Despite these measures, over 170,000 workers joined the protest, highlighting growing discontent over declining pay and unsafe working conditions.

Jan 1, 2026 0 18

Zomato and Swiggy Boost Delivery Partner Earnings Amid Strike Threat

With gig workers threatening to strike on New Year’s Eve, food delivery giants Zomato and Swiggy announced higher payouts for their delivery partners to avoid disruptions during the festive rush. The companies noted that offering extra incentives during holidays is a routine practice to meet surging demand.

Worker Demands and Union Pressure

Unions such as the Indian Federation of App-based Transport Workers and the Gig and Platform Service Workers Union urged delivery personnel across quick-commerce platforms to log off in protest, demanding reforms in the gig economy. Their demands include bringing platform companies under labor laws, banning unsafe “10-minute” delivery targets, ending arbitrary account suspensions and fines, ensuring fair wages, social security, and collective bargaining rights.

The strike affected operations at Zomato, Swiggy, Blinkit, Instamart, and Zepto in several cities, according to reports.

Incentives Rolled Out

To counter the impact, Zomato offered Rs 120–150 per order during peak hours (6 PM–midnight) on New Year’s Eve, with potential daily earnings of up to Rs 3,000 depending on order volume. The company also suspended penalties for cancellations and denials. Eternal Limited, parent company of Zomato and Blinkit, clarified that such measures are part of their annual festive operating strategy.

Swiggy introduced similar incentives, allowing riders to earn up to Rs 10,000 between December 31 and January 1, with peak-hour payouts reaching Rs 2,000 during the six-hour evening window.

Scale of the Protest

By Tuesday night, more than 170,000 delivery and app-based workers across India had confirmed participation in the strike, according to union statements. The unions had earlier staged a protest on December 25, which they described as a warning to companies about declining pay, unsafe delivery pressures, and loss of dignity at work. They expressed frustration that no meaningful dialogue or assurances followed, making the New Year’s Eve strike inevitable.