Delivery Jobs Should Be Seen As Flexible Employment, Not Gig Work: Swiggy Executive
Swiggy's Food Marketplace CEO Rohit Kapoor has advocated for recognizing delivery jobs as flexible employment rather than gig work, describing them as a 'third pillar' of India's job market alongside formal employment and entrepreneurship. Speaking at the World Economic Forum, he revealed that approximately 2.5 million people worked on Swiggy's platform last year, representing a diverse workforce including long-term workers, students, and those seeking supplementary income. While welcoming government social security initiatives, Kapoor emphasized the need for differentiated policy approaches that don't apply traditional employment parameters to this flexible sector.

*this image is generated using AI for illustrative purposes only.
Swiggy 's Food Marketplace CEO Rohit Kapoor has redefined the conversation around delivery jobs, positioning them as a crucial 'third pillar' of India's employment landscape rather than mere gig work. Speaking at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, Kapoor emphasized that these roles should be recognized as flexible employment opportunities that complement traditional job markets.
The Three Pillars of Employment
Kapoor outlined his vision of India's employment structure, identifying three distinct pillars that create comprehensive livelihood opportunities:
| Employment Pillar | Description |
|---|---|
| Formal Employment | Long-term jobs with companies through traditional employment contracts |
| Entrepreneurship | Individual business ventures including shops and small service businesses |
| Flexible Employment | Delivery and platform-based work offering scheduling flexibility |
"Gig sounds like a little bit of a fancy term, but the reality is it's flexible employment. And I truly see this as a third pillar," Kapoor explained during his interaction with PTI.
Platform Scale and Workforce Diversity
The scale of this employment model has reached significant proportions, with Kapoor revealing that approximately 2.5 million people worked on the Swiggy platform at some point last year. He emphasized that this figure represents just one platform, indicating the massive scope of flexible employment across the industry.
The workforce demonstrates remarkable diversity in motivation and commitment levels:
- Long-term workers seeking stable flexible income
- Short-term workers needing monthly earnings
- Students pursuing additional income sources
- Professionals seeking supplementary income streams
"It's not monolithic. There are people who want to do this long-term. There are people who want to do this just for the month," Kapoor noted, highlighting the varied approaches workers take toward platform employment.
Policy Framework and Future Outlook
Kapoor welcomed the government's social security code as a positive development while advocating for nuanced policy approaches. He emphasized the importance of treating flexible employment differently from traditional formal employment structures.
"My only request to every stakeholder is treat it truly as different from formal employment. The moment you apply the same parameters, you will end up throttling something which is truly different," he cautioned.
Industry Growth and Characteristics
The executive expressed confidence in the sector's growth potential while acknowledging the need for continuous improvement and better public understanding of flexible employment characteristics. He emphasized that this employment model allows for fluid movement between different work categories, with people transitioning between formal employment and platform-based work as needed.
Kapoor stressed the company's commitment to developing this sector across multiple dimensions while educating stakeholders about its unique characteristics and the diverse demographics it serves. The flexible employment model represents a significant shift in how work arrangements can accommodate varying individual needs and circumstances in India's evolving job market.
Historical Stock Returns for Swiggy
| 1 Day | 5 Days | 1 Month | 6 Months | 1 Year | 5 Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| -2.31% | -6.72% | -20.89% | -16.13% | -31.95% | -28.49% |













































