Zomato terminates nearly 5,000 gig workers a month: Deepinder Goyal
The gig economy has been a topic of discussion in recent times, 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 due to its treatment of gig workers. 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 statement comes at a time when gig workers have been protesting against unfavourable working conditions, including low wages, long working hours, and lack of benefits. Just a few days ago, gig workers went on strike during New Year’s Eve, highlighting the struggles they face while working for companies like Zomato. The strike was a testament to the growing unrest among gig workers, who are demanding better treatment and more favourable working conditions.
According to Goyal, the main reason for terminating gig workers is fraud. He stated that around 5,000 workers are let go every month due to fraudulent activities, which can range from fake orders to manipulating the system to earn more money. While this may seem like a significant number, it’s essential to note that Zomato has a massive workforce of around 7.5 lakh workers, and the company onboards a similar number of new workers every month to replace those who exit.
In addition to the 5,000 workers who are terminated due to fraud, around 1.5-2 lakh workers leave voluntarily every month. This is a significant number, and it highlights the high turnover rate in the gig economy. Many workers choose to leave due to unfavourable working conditions, low wages, or lack of benefits. The fact that Zomato has to onboard a similar number of new workers every month to replace those who exit suggests that the company is facing challenges in retaining its workforce.
The issue of gig workers’ rights has been a topic of discussion globally, with many countries implementing regulations to protect the rights of temporary or contract workers. In India, the government has introduced the Code on Social Security, which aims to provide social security benefits to gig workers. However, the implementation of these regulations has been slow, and many companies are still not providing adequate benefits to their gig workers.
Zomato’s treatment of gig workers has been under scrutiny in recent times, with many workers complaining about low wages, long working hours, and lack of benefits. The company has been accused of exploiting its workers, who are often forced to work in harsh conditions without adequate compensation. The fact that Zomato terminates nearly 5,000 gig workers every month due to fraud cases raises questions about the company’s treatment of its workforce.
Goyal’s statement has sparked a debate about the gig economy and the treatment of temporary or contract workers. While some argue that the gig economy provides flexibility and opportunities for workers, others claim that it exploits workers and denies them basic rights. The fact that Zomato has to onboard a similar number of new workers every month to replace those who exit suggests that the company is facing challenges in retaining its workforce, and it highlights the need for better working conditions and more favourable treatment of gig workers.
In conclusion, Zomato’s termination of nearly 5,000 gig workers every month due to fraud cases raises concerns about the company’s treatment of its workforce. The fact that around 1.5-2 lakh workers leave voluntarily every month highlights the high turnover rate in the gig economy and the need for better working conditions. As the gig economy continues to grow, it’s essential for companies like Zomato to prioritize the well-being and rights of their workers, providing them with fair compensation, benefits, and a safe working environment.
About the Author
