Zomato terminates nearly 5,000 gig workers a month: Deepinder Goyal
The food delivery giant, Zomato, has been in the news recently for its treatment of gig workers. In a shocking revelation, CEO Deepinder Goyal disclosed that the company terminates nearly 5,000 gig workers every month, primarily due to fraud cases. This statement comes at a time when the company is already facing backlash from its workers over unfavorable working conditions.
According to Goyal, the terminated workers are mainly those who have been found to be involved in fraudulent activities, such as fake orders or collusion with restaurants to cheat the system. This is a significant number, considering the company’s total workforce of 7.5 lakh workers. Additionally, around 1.5-2 lakh workers leave voluntarily every month, which is a substantial chunk of the company’s workforce.
To put this into perspective, Zomato’s workforce is made up of delivery partners, customer support agents, and other contractual staff. These workers are the backbone of the company’s operations, responsible for ensuring that food is delivered to customers on time and that their issues are resolved promptly. However, it seems that a significant number of these workers are not meeting the company’s expectations, leading to their termination.
The company also onboards a similar number of workers every month to replace those who are leaving or have been terminated. This constant churn of workers can be seen as a challenge for Zomato, as it requires significant resources to train and onboard new workers. However, it also highlights the company’s commitment to maintaining high standards of service and ensuring that its workers are adhering to its policies.
Goyal’s statement came days after gig workers went on strike during New Year’s Eve over unfavorable working conditions. The strike, which was reported in several cities across the country, highlighted the growing discontent among gig workers over issues such as low pay, long working hours, and lack of benefits. The workers were demanding better working conditions, including higher pay, more flexible working hours, and access to benefits such as health insurance and paid leave.
The strike was seen as a significant blow to Zomato, which relies heavily on its gig workers to deliver food to customers. The company’s business model is based on the concept of gig economy, where workers are hired on a contractual basis to perform specific tasks. While this model has been successful for Zomato, it has also been criticized for exploiting workers and denying them basic rights and benefits.
The issue of gig workers’ rights has been a contentious one in recent years, with many companies facing criticism for their treatment of workers. The rise of the gig economy has created new opportunities for workers, but it has also raised concerns about exploitation and lack of protections. As the gig economy continues to grow, it is essential that companies like Zomato prioritize the well-being and rights of their workers.
In the case of Zomato, the company has been working to improve the working conditions of its gig workers. For example, it has introduced a range of benefits, including health insurance, paid leave, and flexible working hours. However, more needs to be done to address the concerns of workers and ensure that they are treated fairly.
In conclusion, the termination of nearly 5,000 gig workers every month by Zomato is a significant issue that highlights the challenges faced by the company in maintaining high standards of service. While the company’s commitment to onboard new workers to replace those who are leaving or have been terminated is commendable, it is essential that it prioritizes the well-being and rights of its workers. As the gig economy continues to grow, it is crucial that companies like Zomato take steps to ensure that their workers are treated fairly and with dignity.
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