In a move reflecting the growing scrutiny of gig economy practices in India, Zepto co-founder and CEO Aadit Palicha met with Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya this week to discuss labor concerns and regulatory expectations in the rapidly expanding quick-commerce sector. According to a report published by The Economic Times titled “We’re not perfect, open to inputs from government: Zepto’s Palicha after meeting Labour Minister Mandaviya,” the young entrepreneur acknowledged that while the company has made progress, it remains open to constructive input from government authorities to address ongoing challenges.
The meeting comes amid mounting pressure on digital platform companies to ensure better working conditions for gig and delivery workers, many of whom increasingly voice concerns about low pay, insufficient benefits, and precarious job security. As one of India’s fastest-growing instant delivery platforms, Zepto has emerged as a key player in this space, prompting government attention on how such companies treat their workforce.
Palicha, who was accompanied by Zepto’s public policy team, described the conversation with the Labour Minister as productive and optimistic, noting that the company is committed to refining its labor practices in line with evolving expectations. “We are not perfect, but we are learning and improving,” he said following the meeting. His remarks underscore the balancing act tech startups face as they scale rapidly while operating under growing public and regulatory scrutiny.
The Labour Ministry has recently intensified its engagement with technology platforms, pushing them to incorporate better labor standards into their operational models. Mandaviya has emphasized that while innovation and entrepreneurship are welcome, they must not come at the expense of workers’ rights and dignity.
Zepto, founded in 2021, has quickly grown into one of the country’s leading quick-commerce firms, leveraging a network of micro-warehouses and a fleet of delivery personnel to promise ultra-fast grocery deliveries. However, the company, like its peers, has drawn criticism from labor rights advocates who argue that delivery partners often lack basic protections afforded to formal employees, such as health insurance, paid leave, or retirement benefits.
Palicha’s willingness to acknowledge imperfections and openness to policy feedback may be an effort to differentiate Zepto as a responsible stakeholder in an industry often accused of exploiting gig workers. “We are keen to work collaboratively with policymakers to build sustainable solutions,” he added.
As regulatory bodies weigh legislative options, companies like Zepto are increasingly expected to demonstrate social responsibility alongside operational efficiency. Whether these initial conversations translate into substantive policy reforms or improved conditions for the platform workforce remains to be seen, but Palicha’s outreach signals that India’s tech entrepreneurs are becoming more responsive to the government’s call for a fairer digital economy.
