Indian delivery app Zomato and its CEO, Deepinder Goyal, are under fire after a controversial job posting for the position of chief of staff sparked widespread criticism online.
The advertisement, posted on social media, stipulated two unusual requirements: the role would offer no salary for the first year, and applicants would need to pay Zomato 2 million Indian rupees (approximately $23,670) to secure the job.
Update: I am looking for a chief of staff for myself. pic.twitter.com/R4XPp3CefJ
— Deepinder Goyal (@deepigoyal) November 20, 2024
Social Media Backlash
The post triggered immediate backlash from Indian social media users, many of whom criticized the apparent exclusivity and privilege required to apply for the position.
“Guys basically he is trying to uplift those who are already uplifted,” one user commented. Another said, “A job is supposed to help you pay bills and put food on the table. You can’t expect people to work for free.”
In the post, Goyal defended the offer, explaining that the fee would be donated to his NGO, Feeding India, and called the role a “fast track learning program” designed to provide “10x more learnings” than a traditional management course.
A “Stunt” to Filter Applicants
On Thursday evening, Goyal revealed that the requirement to pay a fee was never intended to be enforced. Instead, he described it as a “filter” to attract candidates capable of appreciating the opportunity.
“It was merely a filter, to find people who had the power to appreciate the opportunity,” Goyal said.
Despite the criticism, the strategy garnered significant attention and attracted over 18,000 applicants within 24 hours before applications were closed.
Criticism of Privilege and Exclusion
While the post succeeded in creating buzz, experts have criticized it for excluding talented individuals without financial privilege.
Indian economist Soumya Bhowmick told CNN, “While demonstrating passion for a job is commendable, financial privilege often dictates whether one can ‘afford’ to pursue such passions – similar to participating in an expensive hobby like golf.”
“Organizations may have the right to offer such roles, but it is undeniable that these opportunities are exclusionary, particularly in a Global South context like India (where for most people) the primary motivation for seeking employment is securing a livelihood.”
Labor Concerns
The controversy also reignited debate about labor practices in India. Although unpaid internships are not illegal in the country, labor laws mandate that employees must be paid at least the minimum wage.
However, a recent report by the Fairwork project found that most Indian gig economy apps, including Zomato, do not have minimum wage policies.
Zomato’s History of Controversy
This is not the first time Goyal and Zomato have faced criticism. Earlier this year, Zomato announced plans to curate a list of restaurants serving only “pure vegetarian food,” a move that many deemed “casteist.” Critics argued that such a plan disproportionately favored privileged Hindu castes, who are more likely to be vegetarian, while marginalizing communities from lower castes who often eat meat.
Zomato also faced backlash in 2021 over an advertisement meant to highlight the dedication of its delivery staff. The ad instead sparked a discussion about the intense pressures placed on delivery workers to meet strict deadlines.
With this latest controversy, Zomato and its CEO continue to face questions about their approach to marketing and employment practices in India’s rapidly evolving corporate landscape.
