Context:

The Telangana Gig and Platform Workers’ Union (TGPWU) has urged the State government to guarantee minimum wages, legal recognition, and comprehensive welfare schemes for gig and platform-based workers.

Who Are Gig Workers?

According to the World Economic Forum, the gig economy involves short-term, task-based employment facilitated through digital platforms that connect workers with consumers.

In India, gig workers are generally classified as “self-employed,” with a growing share of female participation. Gig work ranges from web-based tasks like content creation and software development to location-based services such as ride-hailing and food delivery through platforms like Ola and Zomato.

These workers are typically paid per task and benefit from flexible schedules outside the traditional 9-to-5 framework.

Government Initiatives

• The 2025 Union Budget took steps toward the formal recognition of gig and platform workers, extending social protection schemes to them.
• The Code on Social Security, 2020 legally defined gig and platform workers as those in non-traditional employment relationships.
• Initiatives such as e-Shram registration, issuance of digital ID cards, and Ayushman Bharat health coverage signal the government’s acknowledgement of this growing workforce.

Key Challenges

Despite these efforts, major challenges persist:

• The 2025 revision of the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) failed to accurately reflect the diverse and evolving nature of gig and platform work.
• Gig workers are still grouped under broad labor categories such as ‘self-employed’ or ‘casual labor,’ rendering them statistically invisible.
• This lack of clear classification limits the effectiveness of policies and hampers equitable access to benefits under frameworks like the Social Security Fund and the National Social Security Board, which rely on robust data for planning and implementation.

Conclusion and Way Forward

While the revised PLFS improved its sample size and rural outreach, it still does not clearly identify gig workers.

To foster inclusive and effective policymaking, India should:

• Refine PLFS classifications or introduce dedicated modules to capture gig work.
• Encourage collaboration between governments and digital platforms to establish legal protections and offer customized welfare schemes, including health insurance and pensions.
• Ensure that platforms provide transparent systems, fair wages, and decent working conditions for their workforce.

Source: The Hindu (TH)