Gig Workers

The advent of the digital age has led to a profound transformation of the traditional employment model, giving rise to the gig economy. Chapter I, Section 2(35) of the Code on Social Security, 2020 defines a gig worker as “a person who participates in a work arrangement and earns from such activities outside of a traditional employer–employee relationship.” While that definition distinguishes gig workers from traditional employees, it lacks clarity on the criteria for classification — and the new labour codes have failed to address their employment status, leaving them in a regulatory limbo.

We often enter the workforce with fundamental expectations: fair wages, reasonable hours, and safe working conditions. The rise of the gig economy has eroded these basic rights for many, particularly those doing platform-based work. Delivery drivers, often from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, face a precarious existence characterised by low wages, long working hours, and a complete lack of job security.

According to a report published by NITI Aayog, 7.7 million workers were engaged in the gig economy in 2020–21. This rapidly growing workforce is largely unprotected by labour laws. On 24 July 2023 Rajasthan passed the Rajasthan Platform-Based Gig Workers (Registration and Welfare) Act, becoming the first state to regulate platform-based gig workers at the legislative level, ensuring labour rights, social security and welfare programmes for platform workers.