The Plight of Gig Workers in India

The Wire

01-05-2025

In The Precariat: The New Dangerous Class , Guy Standing paints a stark picture of the growing workforce trapped in unstable, insecure employment without basic labour protections. His analysis resonates deeply with the condition of India's gig workers – the millions powering platforms like Swiggy, Zomato, Uber and Ola, yet largely excluded from fundamental labour rights. The rise of the gig economy in India
The gig economy in India has expanded at an unprecedented pace, driven by the rapid growth of digital platforms and consumer demand for on-demand services. According to a NITI Aayog report, there were 7.7 million gig workers in India in 2020–21, and this figure is projected to surge to 23.5 million by 2029–30. Gig work, often celebrated for its flexibility, hides a grim reality – the absence of job security, social security benefits and legal protections.
Unlike regular employees, gig workers are classified as 'independent contractors', making them ineligible for essential rights such as minimum wage, paid leave, accident compensation and health benefits. Their dependence on algorithmic ratings and customer reviews means that their employment is perpetually unstable.
Films like Ken Loach's Sorry We Missed You powerfully capture this reality. The film's protagonist, Ricky Turner, a delivery driver, struggles with mounting debt and emotional strain due to the exploitative conditions of gig work. His story mirrors that of thousands of gig workers in India, who endure long hours, fluctuating earnings, and the constant fear of deactivation – the industry's euphemism for termination. Legal protections: A fragmented framework
In response to the expanding gig economy, the Indian government introduced four labour codes in 2020, including the Code on Social Security, 2020, to extend welfare benefits to unorganised and gig workers. The code defines platform workers under Section 2(61) as individuals performing work through online platforms, while Section 2(86) classifies unorganised workers as those engaged in irregular or self-employment.
Under Section 6 , the code mandates the formation of a National Social Security Board, tasked with recommending welfare schemes for gig and platform workers. However, implementation has been sluggish , and most gig workers are yet to see any tangible benefits. The ambiguous language and fragmented enforcement mechanisms allow platforms to sidestep accountability, leaving workers without recourse.
A notable exception is the Rajasthan Platform-Based Gig Workers Act, 2023 – India's first state-level legislation specifically addressing gig worker rights. It mandates platform registration, data-sharing obligations and the establishment of a welfare board. However, the absence of national-level legislation means that gig workers in other states remain vulnerable to exploitation.
Despite existing laws such as the Contract Labour Act, 1970, and the Employment Compensation Act, 1923, gig workers continue to be denied protections. These laws, designed for traditional employment, fail to address the fluid, transient and decentralised nature of platform work. The human cost of flexibility
For many gig workers, the promise of flexibility has translated into financial precarity and insecurity. Ravi Kumar, a Swiggy delivery rider in Haridwar, highlights the fragile nature of gig work.
'If I fall sick, I lose my entire income for the day. There's no backup. My job depends on my app rating. If a customer gives me a low rating – even unfairly – I risk getting deactivated. It's scary because I have a family to support.'
Deactivation – an abrupt removal of a worker from the platform – has become a constant threat. With no notice or explanation, workers are left without income and with no legal recourse.
The All India Gig Workers Union v. Uber India Systems Pvt. Ltd. case exemplifies the legal battle for gig worker rights. In this case, gig workers challenged Uber's refusal to provide minimum wages and social security benefits, seeking recognition as employees. However, the absence of clear legal classifications for gig workers means the fight for fair wages and protections continues. Gendered disparities in the gig economy
Women gig workers face even greater challenges in the already precarious gig economy. Seema Sharma, a beauty service provider on UrbanClap in Delhi, shares her experience with harassment and the lack of grievance mechanisms.
'There have been times when clients made me feel unsafe, but when I complained, the app just told me to block them. There is no proper mechanism for reporting harassment. I feel vulnerable and alone.'
Research by Damini Kain reveals that women in the gig economy are more likely to be underpaid, denied opportunities and exposed to harassment. The absence of gender-specific protections makes women workers even more vulnerable. The mental health toll
While the financial instability of gig work is well-documented, its mental health consequences are often overlooked. Akash Singh, a Zomato delivery agent in Delhi NCR, describes the emotional strain of working under constant pressure.
'I'm always worried about my ratings. One bad review means fewer orders. I often work 14-16 hours a day i just to make ends meet. The stress is constant – I've started having anxiety attacks.'
A survey by the All India Gig Workers Union found that over 60% of gig workers reported symptoms of anxiety and depression, driven by financial instability, long hours and algorithmic surveillance. However, lacking formal employment status, they remain excluded from employee assistance programs or mental health support. Algorithmic control and the power imbalance
One of the most concerning aspects of gig work is algorithmic control, where platforms dictate how much a worker earns, the orders they receive, and even whether they remain employed. The lack of algorithmic transparency leaves workers vulnerable to arbitrary deactivations.
Pawan Verma, an Ola driver in Multai, recalls his sudden deactivation.
'One day, my account just stopped working. No message, no call – nothing. When I contacted customer support, they said I had 'violated guidelines', but they didn't specify how. It took me four days of constant calls and emails to get my account reactivated.'
Such deactivations, often automated, reflect the unregulated power platforms wield, with no accountability or grievance redressal mechanisms in place. A call for comprehensive reform
The stories of Ravi, Seema, Akash and Pawan underscore the human cost of platform-based labour. Despite the introduction of labour codes, weak enforcement leaves gig workers exposed to exploitation.
As Guy Standing argues, the rise of the precariat demands a new social contract. India must implement comprehensive reforms that: Recognise gig workers as employees, granting them access to minimum wage, accident insurance and paid leave.
Introduce algorithmic transparency laws to prevent arbitrary deactivations.
Ensure gender-specific protections to safeguard women workers.
Establish mental health support programmes for gig workers.
The Rajasthan Platform-Based Gig Workers Act offers a promising model, but a nationwide framework is necessary to ensure consistent protections. Without such reforms, the gig economy will continue to thrive at the cost of its most vulnerable workers, reducing flexibility to a euphemism for exploitation.
As Sorry We Missed You illustrates, the struggle of gig workers is not just about wages – it is about dignity and survival. India's policymakers must recognise this and act decisively to safeguard the rights and humanity of its gig workforce.
Naina Bhargava is a lawyer and founder-editor of The Philosophy Project.
Madhumita Sharma is a Consultant at Network18, who has been published in The Hindu, Indian Express, Newslaundry, The Quint, Outlook and FII.