Gig Economy Meets Government’s Vision: Zomato to Unlock 250,000 Flexible Jobs Over the Year

In a significant move to bolster India’s gig economy and expand employment avenues, Zomato and the Ministry of Labour & Employment have formalized a partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Signed recently in New Delhi, this collaboration leverages the government’s flagship National Career Service (NCS) portal to create approximately 2.5 lakh flexible job opportunities annually or about 20,000 per month. The agreement was witnessed by Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of State Shobha Karandlaje, and Secretary Vandana Gurnani, signaling strong government support for this initiative.

 

The partnership is designed to integrate gig economy roles into India’s formal employment system, enhancing access to flexible, technology-driven livelihoods for young workers and women across the country. Dr. Mandaviya emphasized that the NCS portal, operational since 2015, has already mobilized over 7.7 crore vacancies and serves as a critical bridge between job seekers and employers nationally and internationally. By incorporating Zomato’s aggregator category within the portal, real-time income opportunities for delivery partners and gig workers are now more structured and accessible.

 

Minister of State Shobha Karandlaje underlined the importance of extending social protection and formalization for all workers under government schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PM-VBRY) and the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision. She urged stakeholders to collaborate closely in making inclusive, secure livelihoods a reality for the nation’s workforce. Secretary Vandana Gurnani reaffirmed the government’s dedication to ensuring dignified and sustainable employment avenues through this partnership.

 

The integration of Zomato’s gig roles in the NCS portal comes at a crucial time, offering a well-timed boost to gig workers and job seekers as the festival season approaches. This initiative represents a milestone in formalizing India’s platform economy, fostering inclusivity, and empowering millions seeking flexible livelihoods.

 

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Sources: Press Information Bureau, The Hans India, The Telegraph India, IANS, PTI.