India's booming gig economy faces challenges as a nationwide strike exposed delivery workers' issues: unfair pay, safety risks from 10-minute deliveries, and opaque algorithms. While new labor laws offer social security recognition, fair wages and algorithm oversight are critical. Consumers share responsibility by not prioritizing speed over worker dignity.
https://theprint.in/opinion/labour-codes-harsh-reality-gig-work/2818744/
As per an NCAER-Prosus report, India’s food delivery platform sector generated Rs 1.2 lakh crore in gross output in 2023-24, and direct employment by the sector increased from 1.08 million workers in 2021-22 to 1.37 million workers in 2023-24.
The report also stated that employment in the sector grew at a CAGR of 12.3 per cent between 2021-22 and 2023-24, compared to all-India CAGR of 7.9 per cent.
But what this report does not state is that gig workers earn low wages, and risk their life each time they get your order to you in ten minutes
The real fault lies with the algorithm, which controls the gig work but cannot be held accountable. Platforms describe their delivery partners as “independent contractors”. But is it truly independence when: the app decides which order you see, the app decides your effective hourly earning, when you can be penalised for rejecting or cancelling the order, you can be deactivated with limited options for appeal, and when the ten-minute deliveries pose a risk to your life.