Zomato sacks delivery partners for protests

By Maqsood Maniyar | NT

Bengaluru: Dozens of delivery workers in Bengaluru said that they had been removed from their jobs by Zomato after participating in protests last month.

The protest being referred to was the ‘log-off stir’ held on April 15, 16 and 17. Food delivery partners (FDPs), particularly those employed by Zomato, had protested by logging off from their apps and refusing to deliver food until their demands were met.

Zomato delivery partners had been protesting against the company’s abolition of incentives and institution of a new system called ‘gigs’ which had diminished their earnings. Gigs is a new time slot booking system introduced by Zomato. Gigs refers to a time slot. Under the new system, the delivery agents are asked to book more ‘gigs’ to earn more. Those who book more gigs get a higher priority in receiving orders as well.

Srinivas, who now works for Swiggy, claimed that he was one of over 50 FDPs sacked by Zomato in mid-April. He also alleged that the company had registered complaints against him in three police stations.

“I had complaints filed against me in Malleshwaram, HSR layout and Koramangala police stations. Some 55 people were let go by Zomato right after the protest. They block their identity cards. That is their final weapon. Whoever will dare to protest, they will be removed from their job,” he said.

Union involvement
All India Democratic Youth Organisation (AIDYO) district president and United Food Delivery Partners’ Union (UFDPU) president Vinay Sarathy confirmed that at least 30 sacked Zomato workers had approached him for help. “More than 40 people had come to us with complaints of being sacked. We have complained to the labour commissioner as well. “Our demand is to reopen blocked IDs and that they should be allowed to work,” he said.

Sarathy added that the contract agreement that the FDPs were made to sign was unfair and onesided and that it made protesting against the company or even criticising it a reason for dismissal. “It is their company policy.

“It’s in their agreement that the people who speak against the company or organises against their policies will be removed. They’ve included terminologies like ‘harm to brand’ which makes dismissals possible,” he said.

He expressed dismay at the punitive measures being taken against protesting citizens, adding that protesting and gathering without arms were fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution.

“That is the point we’ve raised with the labour department. That it is the basic right of every citizen to strike, particularly labourers,” he said, adding that Zomato had acted in a vindictive manner.

“It’s like teaching others. Oh, you want to speak against Zomato? I’ll just terminate you.

“They’re saying we’re powerful and we can do this to you,” Sarathy said.

Zomato officials have not responded to News Trail’s e-mails and telephone calls.