Gig workers
In response to the organised protests, Blinkit blocked the worker IDs of delivery partners in a complete violation of the freedom of association guaranteed under Article 19.
ON APRIL 26, OVER 150 GIG WORKERS WORKING WITH BLINKIT - an online instant delivery app owned by Zomato - went on a strike to protest policy changes by the company. The workers had a list of eleven demands, including higher wages, availability of shaded areas and water, and cotton uniforms, among other things. The company, however, responded by blocking their worker IDs. Gig and Platform Services Workers Union (‘GIPSWU’) - a trade union working to improve the conditions of the gig economy - alleges that the company also sent a representative to intimidate the workers by threatening police action, and demanded that they sign affidavits vowing never to strike again. They complain that this is unconstitutional and exploitative of labour laws.
As India prepares for an intense summer, the National Disaster Management Authority (‘NDMA’) has issued red alerts for heatwaves and released safety guidelines to help citizens stay protected. However, delivery personnel, who travel long distances on bikes and scooters, are expected to work through peak heat hours, often without access to paid breaks, washrooms, rest stops, or any heat-related compensation. To further exacerbate the issue, Blinkit’s new incentive guideline has made it compulsory to work during peak heat hours (between 12 noon to 4 PM). The protest by gig workers in Varanasi was borne out of contempt for the changed incentive structure. The pay-per-order for the workers has also been reduced significantly. The workers demanded an increase in the pay rate and reinstatement of the previous incentive structure.
by Himanshi Aggarwal
10/05/2025
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. The Plight of Gig Workers in India - The Wire
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.
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.
by Naina Bhargava and Madhumita Sharma
01/05/2025
There are only estimates of India’s gig workforce, and this lack of data is one of the reasons why gig workers are largely bereft of social security in a little-regulated gig sector, say experts. https://thewire.in/labour/indias-gig-workers-remain-undocumented-unprotected
India’s definition of a gig worker is loose, and refers to a “person who performs work or participates in a work arrangement and earns from such activities outside of traditional employer-employee relationship”.
Private companies, such as Urban Company and Uber, do not publish data on how many partners they work with.
According to different reports, the gig economy is expanding in the country. As per the Associated Chambers of Commerce & Industry of India, the country’s gig economy is growing at a compounded annual growth rate of 17% and is projected to surpass $455 billion by 2024.
The lack of public availability of data on gig workers impacts marginalised sections the most, experts say.
Without specific data, it is challenging to implement tailored policies and programmes for specific groups like women, individuals with disabilities, or non-heterosexual people, says Bansal. This includes measures such as maternity benefits, period leaves and other targeted provisions.
A survey conducted by the employment consultancy TeamLease in 2019 showed evidence of a 8-10% gap in earnings between men and women working as delivery executives for digital platforms in India.
by Aman Singh and Udisha Srivastav, Indiaspend
21/06/2024
The Truth About Amazon Workers or Slaves | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWdsmeeTpB8 Aug 3, 2024
Amazon claims that 20 lakh people work for it in India. Also, by 2030, Amazon India will invest up to 26 billion dollars in India.
Amazon has 175 wire houses all over the world, i.e. warehouses. Out of which 20 are in India. Most of the people working there are rural youth. A large number of them are young girls in the age group of 20-30 years. For example, about 1400 workers work in the wire house of Manesar in Haryana, out of which 70 percent are women.
Almost 83% app-based cab drivers work more than 10 hours a day, while working hours for almost a third exceed 14 hours daily, a study of more than 10,000 Indian gig workers has revealed. https://thewire.in/labour/14-hour-work-day-no-time-off-unfair-compensation-a-new-study-on-gig-workers-reveals
The study, conducted by People’s Association in Grassroots Action and Movements and the Indian Federation of App-based Transport Workers, found that social disparities are replicated in gig work with only 16% of drivers from the unreserved category working for more than 14 hours as opposed to 60% of drivers from the Scheduled Castes and Tribes
The study, involving 5,302 cab drivers and 5,028 delivery persons across eight cities, also revealed other alarming trends.
Over 43% of participants earn less than Rs 500 a day, or Rs 15,000 a month after deducting all costs.
Nearly 34% app-based delivery workers earn less than Rs 10,000 a month while 78% work over 10 hours a day.
11/03/2024