Zomato Offers a Job with a Catch – You Have to Pay to Get it
When Deepinder Goyal, CEO of the Indian food delivery giant Zomato, announced a job opening for a Chief of Staff role on social media, it came with an unusual twist. The position offered no salary for the first year, and applicants were required to pay the company 2 million Indian rupees (around $23,670) for the opportunity.
The bold proposal triggered a storm of reactions across social media, with many questioning its fairness and accessibility. Critics were quick to call out the move, labelling it elitist. One user quipped, “He’s basically trying to uplift those who are already uplifted,” while another remarked, “A job is supposed to help you pay bills, not the other way around.”
A Controversial “Learning Experience”
Goyal defended the initiative as a unique “fast track learning program” that promised participants a decade’s worth of experience in a single year. The hefty fee, he explained, would be donated to Feeding India, Zomato’s nonprofit initiative. However, the announcement didn’t sit well with many observers, who argued it effectively excluded capable candidates without financial privilege.
Economist Soumya Bhowmick weighed in, stating, “While passion for a job is admirable, financial privilege often dictates whether one can afford such opportunities. In a country like India, where employment is primarily about securing a livelihood, this approach seems exclusionary.”
Despite the controversy, the offer drew significant interest, reportedly amassing over 18,000 applications in just 24 hours before submissions were closed.
A Gimmick Revealed
Amid the backlash, Goyal later clarified that the fee was a publicity stunt, meant as a “filter” to gauge applicants’ enthusiasm. “It was never serious,” he shared in an updated post, adding that the tactic wouldn’t be repeated. “I hope ‘pay the company to get a job’ doesn’t become a norm in this world – that’s not cool.”
The clarification did little to pacify critics, with many questioning why such a filter was necessary. “There are plenty of qualified individuals with the right intent who may not have the financial means. This strategy essentially filters out most of India,” one user responded.
A Pattern of Controversy
This isn’t the first time Zomato and its CEO have come under fire. Earlier this year, the company faced criticism over plans to curate a list of restaurants serving only “pure vegetarian food.” Critics argued the move was “casteist,” as vegetarianism in India is often associated with privileged castes, alienating those from marginalised backgrounds.
In 2021, a Zomato advertisement meant to highlight the commitment of its delivery staff backfired, sparking a conversation about the intense pressure gig workers face to meet delivery deadlines.
Larger Implications for India’s Labour Market
The episode also highlights ongoing concerns about employment practices in India. While unpaid internships are legal, labour laws mandate minimum wages for employees. However, a report by Fairwork found that many Indian gig economy platforms, including Zomato, lack policies ensuring minimum wage protections.
As the dust settles on this particular controversy, the incident has reignited broader debates about privilege, accessibility, and fairness in the workplace. Whether this will lead to any meaningful change remains to be seen.
