Zomato’s Chief Executive Officer, Deepinder Goyal, has been on the receiving end of criticism after he advertised a senior position within the company of Chief of Staff that entails that the hired individual will pay Rupee twenty lakh for the chance and that there will be no salary for the first year. Deepinder Goyal took to X to share the listing, which said, “There is no salary for this role for the first year. You will have to, in fact, pay Rs 20 lacs for this opportunity.”
Deepinder Goyal had clarified that rather it was contingent upon the payment which in rupee twenty lakh will be made as a charitable contribution to an organization called “Feeding India” which is a charitable wing of Zomato. The payment which will be made to the professional will be more than rupees fifty lakhs per annum, only from the second year. Goyal also mentioned that the position required a combination of “common sense, empathy, and not a lot of experience,” assuring that it would be an experience worth more than an MBA degree.
HAVE A LOOK AT THE POST:
Update: I am looking for a chief of staff for myself. pic.twitter.com/R4XPp3CefJ
— Deepinder Goyal (@deepigoyal) November 20, 2024
Public Reaction Shows the Persisting Inequity and Elitism
The revelation was also widely criticized, with a lot of people calling on this move as an example of elitism and exploitation in the workplace. Detractors noted that in many cases this 20 lakh fee even disadvantages very skilled people who previously had high chances due to the exorbitant entry fee.
“Abhishek” who replied to the post, commented, “As if exploitive jigs workers weren’t enough, now come parents from the middle class with a ridiculous rate.” Others said this job posting is a ‘please APPLY IF YOU CAN AFFORD TO WORK FOR FREE’ which is dangerous and should not be done.
Another X user namely Mohak Mangal said, “You’ve already filtered for privilege by offering zero salary. This position is inaccessible to the financially responsible.”
The issue concerning inequity and inclusivity
Some users including Aman expressed that the amount would alienate many applicants who risk not understanding what the majority Indian people go through. “Asking for 20 lakh means that only those who have ‘daddy’s money’ can afford to apply” he expressed concern