Zomato Ltd and its quick-commerce arm Blinkit achieved an unprecedented operational milestone on New Year's Eve, processing a record number of orders even as sections of gig workers across the country called for a strike. The company's chief executive, Deepinder Goyal, announced that the platforms successfully managed over 75 lakh (7.5 million) orders in a single day, marking their highest-ever daily volume.
Record-Breaking Day Amidst Protests
The remarkable achievement on December 31 came just a day after widespread protests organised by delivery and gig workers associated with major platforms like Zomato, Swiggy, and Amazon. The workers, under banners like the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT), demonstrated in several cities, demanding better pay, enhanced safety measures, and social security benefits. A collective call for a nationwide strike on December 31 was issued by unions to amplify these demands.
However, in a detailed post on social media platform X, Goyal revealed that operations remained largely unaffected. He stated that more than 4.5 lakh (450,000) delivery partners across Zomato and Blinkit fulfilled orders for over 63 lakh (6.3 million) customers. Goyal credited the local police for their assistance, which he said "helped keep the small number of miscreants in check," ensuring smooth service delivery.
CEO's Defense of the Gig Economy Model
In his communication, Deepinder Goyal addressed the ongoing discourse around gig worker conditions head-on. He emphasised that the record delivery pace was achieved "without any additional incentives for delivery partners" compared to previous New Year's Eve celebrations, where higher pay is standard. He expressed gratitude to the ground teams and authorities for their coordination.
Goyal reserved special praise for the delivery partners who, he said, "showed up despite intimidation, stood their ground, and chose honest work and progress." He concluded his thoughts with a pointed remark, suggesting that if the system were fundamentally unfair, it would not consistently attract and retain a massive workforce. He urged the public not to be swayed by "narratives pushed by vested interests."
Positioning the gig economy as one of India's "largest organised job creation engines," Goyal projected a long-term vision. He argued that the broader social impact would be evident when the children of these workers, supported by stable incomes and education, eventually join the workforce and contribute to national growth.
The Underlying Tensions and Worker Demands
The backdrop to this record-setting day was a growing chorus of demands from India's gig workforce. The Gig and Platform Service Workers Union had called for a complete work stoppage on December 31, urging all app-based workers to log off and abstain from services to make the strike "united and effective."
Their core demands remain centered on:
- Better and standardized pay structures
- Comprehensive social security cover (including insurance, pensions)
- Improved safety protocols for workers on the road
- Formal recognition of their rights and dignity
While Zomato's New Year's Eve success story highlights the immense scale and reliance on the platform economy, it also underscores the persistent tension between corporate growth narratives and the welfare demands of the workforce that powers it. The event sets the stage for continued dialogue on the future of work in India's digital age.
