Zomato terminates nearly 5,000 gig workers a month: Deepinder Goyal
The gig economy has been a topic of discussion in recent years, with many companies relying on temporary or contract workers to carry out their operations. One such company is Zomato, a popular food delivery platform that has been making headlines lately. In a recent podcast, Zomato’s CEO Deepinder Goyal revealed that the company terminates nearly 5,000 gig workers every month, primarily due to fraud cases. This news comes after gig workers went on strike during New Year’s Eve to protest against unfavourable working conditions.
According to Goyal, the company has a workforce of around 7.5 lakh workers, and approximately 1.5-2 lakh workers leave voluntarily every month. To replace those exiting, Zomato onboards a similar number of new workers monthly. This high turnover rate is not uncommon in the gig economy, where workers are often hired on a temporary or contract basis. However, the fact that Zomato terminates nearly 5,000 workers every month due to fraud cases raises concerns about the company’s hiring and vetting processes.
Goyal’s statement has sparked a debate about the working conditions and treatment of gig workers in the food delivery industry. Many workers have taken to social media to share their experiences of working with Zomato, citing long hours, low pay, and lack of benefits as some of the major issues. The strike on New Year’s Eve was a culmination of these grievances, with workers demanding better working conditions, higher pay, and more respect from the company.
The gig economy has been growing rapidly in recent years, with many companies adopting this model to reduce costs and increase flexibility. However, this model has also been criticized for exploiting workers, who are often denied basic benefits and job security. The case of Zomato’s gig workers is a prime example of this exploitation, where workers are hired and fired at will, without any guarantees of job security or fair treatment.
The fact that Zomato terminates nearly 5,000 workers every month due to fraud cases also raises questions about the company’s accountability. If the company is aware of the high incidence of fraud among its workers, why does it not take steps to prevent it? Why does it continue to hire workers who are likely to engage in fraudulent activities? These are questions that Zomato needs to answer, particularly in light of the recent strike by its gig workers.
The strike on New Year’s Eve was a significant event, as it highlighted the plight of gig workers in the food delivery industry. The workers’ demands for better working conditions, higher pay, and more respect from the company are legitimate and deserve to be heard. Zomato and other companies in the gig economy need to take these demands seriously and take steps to address the grievances of their workers.
In conclusion, the news that Zomato terminates nearly 5,000 gig workers every month is a cause for concern. The high turnover rate and the incidence of fraud among workers are symptoms of a larger problem, one that requires urgent attention from the company and the government. The gig economy has the potential to provide flexible and fulfilling work opportunities for millions of people, but it also requires companies to prioritize the well-being and dignity of their workers.
As the gig economy continues to grow, it is essential that companies like Zomato take steps to ensure that their workers are treated fairly and with respect. This includes providing better working conditions, higher pay, and more benefits, as well as taking steps to prevent fraud and exploitation. The strike by Zomato’s gig workers is a wake-up call for the company and the industry as a whole, and it is time for them to take action to address the grievances of their workers.
The issue of gig workers’ rights is a complex one, and it requires a nuanced approach. While companies like Zomato need to take steps to improve the working conditions and treatment of their workers, the government also needs to play a role in regulating the gig economy. This includes implementing laws and regulations that protect the rights of gig workers, such as providing them with basic benefits and job security.
In the end, the fate of Zomato’s gig workers is a test case for the gig economy as a whole. If companies like Zomato can prioritize the well-being and dignity of their workers, while also providing them with flexible and fulfilling work opportunities, then the gig economy has the potential to be a positive force for change. However, if companies continue to exploit their workers, then the gig economy will be nothing more than a recipe for disaster.
News Source: https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/business/zomato-terminates-5-000-employees-monthly-over-fraud/story
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