New Delhi, Apr 2 (IANS): Food delivery platform Zomato on Thursday announced a Gold Support Fund with the aim of supporting restaurant workers who are facing the possibility of losing their livelihoods due COVID-19 shutdowns.

With this initiative, all proceeds from the purchase of Zomato Gold annual memberships in April will go towards supporting restaurant housekeepers, cooks and servers as well as their families in these uncertain times, Zomato said.

All users who purchase the Gold annual subscription during this month will get a 2-year membership (instead of 1 year) at no additional cost, it added.

"Restaurants workers who function day in and out in order to render a great food experience are one of the most significant factors behind the restaurant industry's success. It is disheartening to see the industry which has grown to drive tremendous employment opportunities in recent years, struggle to sustain," Gaurav Gupta, Co-founder and COO, Zomato, said in a statement.

"We are starting this initiative in India and the UAE and hope to support as many restaurants as we can," Gupta said.

Zomato Gold membership will be available at Rs 1,200 limited to the month of April so that more and more people can utilise this option to contribute.