Zomato faces heat for 'avoid ordering during noon' request
Netizens pointed out that it's better to shut down services if the company cared about riders' wellbeing during the heatwave
Zomato recently requested customers to avoid ordering from the app during peak afternoon hours to show concern for its riders in the heatwave.
However, many netizens did not receive the plea well, asking Zomato to shut down their services instead of placing the moral responsibility on the customers. They pointed out that the company cannot ask its customers to avoid ordering food during lunch hours. Instead, the company can simply shut down their services during peak afternoon hours when the temperature is at its zenith.
Many parts of northern India have been witnessing record-breaking temperatures for the last few days, going as high as 53 degrees in some areas. The Indian Meterological Department (IMD) has reportedly predicted that the heatwave will continue for the next few days.
In the light of this situation, Zomato made a seemingly well-intentioned plea to consumers to avoid ordering food during noon when the temperature is unbearably high as most riders deliver food travel by two-wheelers that offer no protection from the intense heat.
Irate customers have hit back at the company.
"Why don't instead suspend your services during peak afternoon?" wrote a user.
"Bro, you are in food services and people order food when it is absolutely necessary. If you actually care about your employees, you would be posting 'Our services are unavailable during peak afternoon hours,' wrote another.
"Close down the services between 12 to 4. Its okay to be human sometimes before profits. Yeah we won't order, but still closure from you will do more good," wrote a user.
Some expressed disbelief at the food deliver company asking its customers to not order food during lunch hours: "Is it even real? Though I appreciate the concern, lunchtime orders cannot be postponed to dinner time. If so, Zomato needs to identify "absolutely necessary" orders and not-so-necessary orders."
Others were quick to point out that the plea was a well-timed marketing strategy: "What a stunt ? Take a bow ? Gajab marketing strategy."
Not too long ago, Zomato was trolled for started a "green fleet" comprising delivery personelle who would only deliver vegetarian food. Given India's large vegetarian population and notions of food purity and pollution, the initiative was met with intense backlash, forcing Zomato to withdraw the fleet.
