Delivery workers of the platforms like Swiggy, Zomato, Blinkit, and Zepto went on strikes on New Year’s Eve, calling for a ban on 10-minute deliveries.
About Gig Economy in India
- As per Code on Social Security, 2020, it means a person who performs work or participates in a work arrangement and earns from such activities outside of traditional employer-employee relationship.
- Broadly classified into 2 categories:
- Platform based: Whose work is based on online software apps or digital platforms. E.g., delivery workers of Zomato.
- Non-platform based: Casual wage workers in conventional sectors, working part-time or full-time. E.g., domestic workers.
- Scale: India has around 10 million gig and platform workers, which is expected to rise to 23.5 million by 2029-30.
- Drivers of growth:
- Demand-side: Urban consumption, proliferation of quick commerce digital platforms, etc.
- Supply-side: Flexible work models, attractive remunerations.
Challenges with Gig Economy
- Income Volatility: Declining per-order payouts and low base pay lead to reduced income stability.
- Occupational Hazards: Aggressive delivery timelines (e.g., 10 minute delivery) increase accident risks and stress.
- Social Vulnerability: Absence of assured health insurance, accident cover, and pensions.
- Coverage Gaps: Existing social security proposals (like the 90-day rule) are criticized for being restrictive.
- Algorithmic Management: Algorithmic Opacity in order allocation,"de-platforming" workers, and limited collective bargain.
Steps taken for welfare of Gig Workers
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