‘Withdraw 10-Minute Delivery’: Swiggy, Zomato raise delivery incentives as nationwide gig workers union strike continues

Food delivery platforms Swiggy and Zomato have announced additional incentives for their delivery workers during peak hours and year‑end days amid a nationwide strike call by gig and platform workers. 

What is the new incentive push from Zomato, Swiggy?

The incentive push follows calls by delivery worker unions for strikes on December 25 and December 31 to protest pay, working conditions and lack of social security.

As reported by Zee News, Zomato has offered delivery partners payouts of Rs 120–150 per order during peak hours between 6 pm and 12 am, when they have higher order volumes around New Year’s Eve.

Deepinder Goyal’s company also promised earnings of up to Rs 3,000 throughout the day, subject to order volumes and availability.

The platform has also temporarily waived penalties on order denials and cancellations to reduce income risk during uneven order flow.

Parent company Eternal’s spokesperson said these measures were part of the company’s standard operating protocol during festive and year-end periods, which typically see higher demand and earning opportunities.

Meanwhile, quick commerce player Swiggy offered delivery workers earnings of up to Rs 10,000 across December 31, 2025 and January 1, 2026, with peak‑hour pay of up to Rs 2,000 between 6 pm and 12 am on New Year’s Eve.

Zepto has also reportedly raised incentives for delivery partners.

Earlier on December 25, 2025, a strike and brief localised disruptions were reported in food delivery, though platforms said operations stabilised later in the day. Unions have claimed wider participation and urged continued mobilisation on December 31, 2025.

The TGPWU (Telangana Gig and Platform Workers’ Union) and the IFAT (Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers) have claimed that lakhs of app-based workers would be participating in the strike on December 31, potentially affecting food delivery and quick commerce services, including Zomato, Swiggy, Blinkit, Instamart and Zepto.

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