Dear reader,
The International Labour Organization (ILO) has identified the gig or platform economy as one of the most important new transformations in the world of work. The gig space is populated mainly by two digital labour platforms: web-based portals for dispersed tasks (“crowdwork”) and location-based apps for local services like driving, food delivery, and cleaning.
But, despite the hoopla, the gig economy is a shockingly tricky space. Sample this: many of the companies in the gig space call their workers by fancy titles—partners, associates, independent contractors, and so on. But none of these workers actually enjoy the benefits or privileges that partners, associates, or independent contractors in a company typically enjoy. Nor do they enjoy the rights of a “worker”.
Workers associated with the platform economy (which is controlled by algorithm-powered platform companies) are treated like second-class citizens around the world. The companies rob them of even basic rights. Most of them lack social security benefits, insurance, or even decent pay. The amoeba-like classification of their work often discourages gig employees from organising or seeking help from trade unions that are often limited to outdated definitions of labour.
Providing adequate and sustainable social protection for workers in the gig and platform economy is a dire need. This is why regulating such work has become vital. However, this is easier said than done.
Some countries are making progress, however small, which is now percolating to India as well. For example, the Rajasthan Platform Based Gig Workers (Registration and Welfare) Act, 2023, passed by the Rajasthan Assembly on July 24, is a celebratory moment. However, even this just addresses the tip of the iceberg.
As Ayesha Minhaz argues in this excellent analysis of the Rajasthan law and its impact on India’s gig work, much more needs to be done to protect the country’s multitude of “non-standard labourers” from the exploitation of platform companies and their complex, deceptive algorithms and codes.
We urge you to read Minhaz’s piece here and understand what goes on behind that hamburger delivered to your doorstep. Let us know your thoughts on what can be done to make the lives of India’s ‘Zwigatos’ better.
Wishing you a great week ahead,
Team Frontline
(Correction: In the previous newsletter (‘Sen’sible cinema), Mrinal Sen’s birth year should be read as 1923, not as mentioned. We regret the error.)
We hope you’ve been enjoying our newsletters featuring a selection of articles that we believe will be of interest to a cross-section of our readers. Tell us if you like what you read. And also, what you don’t like! Mail us at frontline@thehindu.co.in
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