Food delivery platforms Zomato and Swiggy have announced that they are offering higher incentives to their delivery partners as part of their ‘annual operating protocol’ on New Year's Eve. The move comes as the Gig and Platform Workers Union called for a nationwide strike to demand better pay and improved working conditions for delivery workers.
The food delivery platform incentives are aimed at ensuring there are minimal service disruptions during one of the busiest sales periods of the year, an Eternal spokesperson told PTI.
#WATCH | Delhi | Platform-based workers associated with companies such as Swiggy, Zomato, Zepto and Amazon are on a nationwide strike today under the banner of the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT).
— ANI (@ANI) December 31, 2025
A food delivery agent says, "Initially, the rate card was… pic.twitter.com/fNvgMWiDSA
Zomato said that it is offering its delivery partners a payout of Rs 120-150 per order during peak hours between 6 pm and 12 am on New Year's Eve.
The platform also promised earnings of up to Rs 3000 per the day. Depending on order volumes and worker availability. Penalties for denials and cancellations have also been temporarily waived.
The spokesperson from Eternal, which is the parent company of Blinkit and Zomato, said, “This is part of our standard annual operating protocol during festive periods, which typically see higher earnings opportunities due to increased demand.”
Swiggy has also raised incentives and is offering its delivery partners the opportunity to earn up to Rs 10,000 across December 31 and January 1. For New Year's Eve alone, Swiggy is advertising peak-hour earnings of up to Rs 2000 for the six-hour window between 6 pm and 12 am.
In a joint statement, the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU) and the indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT) said, “As of last night, over 1.7 lakh delivery and app-based workers across India have confirmed participation, with numbers expected to rise further by evening.
"The December 25 action sent a clear warning to platform companies about falling earnings, unsafe delivery pressure, and loss of dignity at work.
However, companies responded with silence, no rollback of reduced payouts, no dialogue with workers, and no concrete assurances on safety or working hours. This continued indifference has made today's strike unavoidable," the statement added.
