New Delhi, India | December 31, 2025
Zomato and Swiggy have announced higher payouts and special incentives for delivery partners on New Year’s Eve, effectively ending a planned strike by gig workers that threatened to disrupt food deliveries across India.
Delivery partners and other gig workers had announced a work stoppage on December 31 to protest low earnings and peak-hour stress. With New Year’s Eve being one of the busiest days for food delivery services, both companies moved quickly to prevent large-scale disruptions.
According to reports, Zomato and Swiggy offered enhanced per-order payments and time-bound incentives to ensure smooth operations during peak hours. Such short-term pay boosts are typically introduced during festivals and high-demand periods, but this year the decision was accelerated due to the strike announcement.
Zomato’s New Year Eve Offer
Zomato confirmed that delivery partners will earn approximately ₹120 to ₹150 per order during peak hours between 6:00 PM and 12:00 midnight on December 31. Sources also indicate that the company has projected potential daily earnings of up to ₹3,000, depending on order volume and partner availability.
Additionally, Zomato has waived cancellation penalties for the day, offering further relief to delivery partners operating under high-pressure conditions.
Swiggy Announces Higher Incentives
Swiggy has also increased incentives for delivery partners, announcing earnings of up to ₹10,000 between the night of December 31 and January 1, 2026. The company is offering an additional ₹2,000 incentive during peak hours from 6:00 PM onward to encourage availability during the busiest time window.
The announcements have eased tensions between gig workers and the platforms, with deliveries expected to continue normally through New Year celebrations nationwide.
