Zomato, Swiggy Raise Delivery Partner Incentives Ahead of New Year’s Eve Amid Nationwide Strike Call

Platforms Step Up Payouts to Ensure Service Continuity​

Food delivery platforms Zomato and Swiggy have rolled out higher incentives for delivery partners to ensure uninterrupted services on New Year’s Eve, even as gig workers’ unions have called for a nationwide strike on December 31.

The move follows the platforms’ usual practice during festive and high demand periods, when order volumes peak and rider availability becomes critical.

Strike Call May Impact Food Delivery and Quick Commerce Operations​

Gig workers’ unions have indicated that the strike could affect operations across food delivery and quick commerce platforms including Blinkit, Instamart and Zepto.

According to union statements, a large number of delivery and app based workers across India have confirmed participation, with expectations that the count may rise further by evening.

Zomato Announces Peak Hour Earnings and Penalty Waivers​

Zomato has offered delivery partners payouts ranging between Rs 120 and Rs 150 per order during peak hours from 6 pm to 12 am on New Year’s Eve. The platform has also communicated potential earnings of up to Rs 3,000 over the course of the day, subject to order volumes and worker availability.

In addition, penalties related to order denials and cancellations have been temporarily waived. The company stated that these measures are part of its standard annual operating protocol during festive and year end periods marked by higher demand.

Zomato operates under Eternal, which also owns the Blinkit brand.

Swiggy Offers Year End and New Year Incentive Boost​

Swiggy has also increased incentives during the year end period. Delivery partners are being offered earnings of up to Rs 10,000 across December 31 and January 1.

For New Year’s Eve, the platform is advertising peak hour earnings of up to Rs 2,000 for the six hour window between 6 pm and 12 am, aimed at ensuring adequate rider availability during one of the busiest ordering periods of the year. The company has maintained that enhanced payouts during such occasions are a standard practice.

Gig Workers’ Unions Escalate Nationwide Strike Plans​

The Telangana Gig and Platform Workers' Union and the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers have jointly stated that over 1.7 lakh delivery and app based workers across the country have already confirmed participation in the December 31 strike.

The unions said the action follows an earlier strike on December 25, during which a significant number of delivery workers logged off platforms across Telangana and other regions.

According to the unions, the strike is aimed at demanding better payouts, safer working conditions, and improved dignity at work. They have urged gig and platform workers across India to shut down work related applications and refrain from providing services on December 31 to make the strike collective and effective.