Swiggy, Zomato raise delivery incentives amid gig worker strike, year-end rush

Zomato, Swiggy

• Swiggy, Zomato boost delivery worker incentives amid nationwide strikes
• Zomato promises up to Rs 150 per order and waives penalties during peak hours
• Swiggy offers up to Rs 10,000 earnings for delivery workers on Dec 31 and Jan 1

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Food delivery platforms Swiggy and Zomato have rolled out higher incentives for delivery workers during peak hours and year-end days, as companies move to stabilise operations amid an ongoing nationwide strike by gig and platform workers.

The incentive push comes as delivery worker unions called for strikes on December 25 and December 31, protesting pay, working conditions and lack of social security, even as platforms brace for higher order volumes around New Year’s Eve.

What incentives is Zomato offering delivery workers?

Zomato has offered delivery partners payouts of Rs 120–150 per order during peak hours between 6 pm and 12 am, according to messages sent to workers and people familiar with the matter. The platform is also promising earnings of up to Rs 3,000 over the course of the day, subject to order volumes and availability.

In addition, Zomato has temporarily waived penalties on order denials and cancellations, a move delivery workers say reduces the risk of income loss during periods of uneven order flow and heightened demand.

What has Swiggy announced for New Year’s Eve and Day?

Swiggy, too, has stepped up incentives around the year-end period. The platform is offering delivery workers earnings of up to Rs 10,000 across December 31 and January 1, according to communications shared with delivery partners.

On New Year’s Eve, Swiggy is advertising peak-hour earnings of up to Rs 2,000 between 6 pm and 12 am, as it looks to ensure rider availability during one of the busiest ordering windows of the year.

Are quick commerce platforms also raising payouts?

Quick commerce player Zepto has also increased incentives for delivery workers, industry sources said, as platforms across food delivery and instant commerce seek to minimise disruption during the strike period and the year-end surge in demand.

Queries sent to Swiggy, Zomato and Zepto did not elicit an immediate response.

Why are platforms raising incentives now?

The incentive hikes follow brief, localised disruptions during the December 25 strike, particularly in food delivery, even as platforms said operations stabilised later in the day. Worker unions, however, have claimed wider participation and impact, and have called for continued mobilisation on December 31.