Zomato removes close to 5,000 gig workers every month in India due to fraud-related cases, CEO Deepinder Goyal said in January 2026 in a public podcast. The disclosure matters as gig worker protests and new labour code rules place platform employment under scrutiny.
What changed in Zomato’s gig workforce system
Zomato clarified that worker removals form a routine part of platform monitoring. Speaking on a video podcast with YouTuber Raj Shamani, Deepinder Goyal said the company terminates around 5,000 delivery partners monthly after detecting fraudulent activity.
At the same time, Zomato records large voluntary exits. Around 150,000 to 200,000 gig workers leave the platform each month on their own. Goyal said many workers treat food delivery as short-term income rather than long-term employment.
Context around worker protests and platform work
The disclosure followed flash strikes by gig workers on New Year’s Eve. Delivery partners from Zomato and other quick commerce platforms paused work to demand higher pay, better working conditions, and security coverage.
Zomato operates on an aggregator-based gig model. Workers log in when available and earn per task. The system allows frequent entry and exit. As a result, workforce numbers change daily across cities and delivery zones.
Impact on gig workers and policy oversight
The workforce churn at Zomato comes as the central government moves to regulate platform work. On December 30, 2025, the Ministry of Labour and Employment issued draft rules under the four labour codes. The rules aim to extend social security, health, and safety benefits to gig and platform workers.
Under the draft, a worker must remain engaged with an aggregator for at least 90 days in a financial year to qualify for benefits. If a worker uses multiple platforms, the minimum threshold rises to 120 days. Engagement counts if a worker earns income on a calendar day, regardless of amount.
How the system is defined going forward
The draft rules clarify that workdays across multiple platforms will be added together. If a worker engages with three aggregators on the same day, each counts separately. The government has invited stakeholder feedback before a planned rollout from April 1.
Zomato has not announced changes to its gig engagement model. The company continues to operate fraud check
