Gig Worker Strikes Ignite Fierce Debate: Founders, Leaders Clash Over Rights & Pay

• Nationwide gig worker strikes on Dec 31 sparked a debate on fair pay, minimum wage, and dignity.
• Zomato founder Deepinder Goyal defended platforms, citing record NYE orders and increased average hourly earnings (₹103 in 2025) and benefits for partners.
• Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha criticized the "exploitation economy," while former NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant defended the gig economy as a major job creator.
• Naukri.com founder Sanjeev Bikhchandani supported Goyal, but Deal Dhamaka founder Vineeth K called it a "distribution problem" and demanded basic fairness.
• Tech expert Deedy Das suggested Deepinder Goyal's defense posts might have been AI-generated, raising questions about crisis communication.

Why It Matters: Gig worker strikes expose deep divisions among leaders on fair pay, exploitation, and the future of the gig economy.