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VOLUME VII ISSUE I
In this Issue
In this issue, the focus would be to understand the struggle of the gig worker economy. While the gig economy in India has undoubtedly opened up new opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship, it is essential to address the exploitation faced by workers within this rapidly growing sector. By implementing robust regulations, promoting social dialogue, and investing in worker empowerment, India can strive towards a more inclusive and equitable gig economy, where workers’ rights and well-being are prioritized alongside technological advancements.
Awaaz in Focus
In this issue of Awaaz in Focus, we explore our understanding by documenting of the plight of the gig workers within India, through a socio-politico-legal perspective and examine their place in the Indian economy. We would like to unpack the term gig economy, explore the working conditions of the gig workers, social security policies and the legal barriers in accessing them.
For this, the team speaks to Prof. Sabreen Ahmed who is a Lecturer at the Jindal Global Law School. She speaks of how the lack of a clear definition for gig workers hinders the provision of social security benefits. The gig economy blurs the line between organized and unorganized sectors, creating a grey area for worker classification. Women’s low participation in the gig economy can be attributed to factors such as limited awareness, safety concerns, and preference for secure work.
Vichaar
In this edition of Vichaar, we decided to investigate this claim not simply in the backdrop of gig work but in the light of increasing casualisation of labor. For this purpose, we reached out to the research consultant at Samvada, Shradhha NV Sharma. We began the conversation on understanding why the young Indian population is so drawn to choose contractual work and even willing to leave the agrarian economy behind. We furthered our conversation on what casualisation implies and its impact on the real versus imagined agency. How casualisation impacts marginalized groups and if there’s a way to mitigate the impact?
Nazariya
The Nazariya piece, with a focus on platform-based work, aims to explore the gendered dynamics present within the gig economy. By dismantling the idea of flexibility, it outlines various factors and structural barriers that bar women’s inclusion in gig work and result in the genderization of the economy.
TALKPOINT
For TalkPoint, we speak to Anwesha Ghosh, and we look at various aspects of the gig economy, including the impact of advancements in Information and Communication Technology (ICTD) on the labor force, social security measures for gig workers, their classification under labor laws, the implications of the Code on Social Security 2020, challenges faced by gig workers, and the need for gender-focused policies. The discussion highlighted the risks, consequences, and changing dynamics of work in the gig economy, as well as the importance of addressing worker protection, privacy, and job security concerns.
Further, we speak to Nisha Subramanian, a PhD student of Anthropology at Ashoka University. The interview revolved around the gig economy, specifically focusing on the experiences of delivery workers in the food delivery sector. The interviewee, Nisha, shared insights from her PhD research on the gig economy, particularly in the context of food delivery workers in India. They discussed various topics, including the factors contributing to the rise of app-based services, the demographics of workers in the gig economy, the relationship between workers and platforms, job satisfaction among gig workers, and the potential for collective bargaining and unionization. The interview also touched upon the impact of COVID-19 on the gig economy and the challenges faced by gig workers, including issues of payment, incentives, transparency, and infrastructure. Additionally, Nisha highlighted the gendered experiences within the gig economy, noting differences observed between cities and the need for further exploration.
AZAAD आवाज़ 