Indian gig workers demand benefits and protections

DW
DW
1m ago
Labor groups organized a strike on New Year's Eve and demanded a minimum monthly income of 24,000 to 40,000 rupees for gig workers.
Indian gig workers demand benefits and protections
A What happened
Raju Kumar, a Zomato delivery worker in New Delhi, said he works close to 10 hours a day and earns about 700 to 900 rupees daily. Kumar said his account was deactivated for a week last month due to an algorithmic issue, hurting his income and leaving him unable to pay his rent. Santosh Pawar, a Blinkit gig worker in Mumbai, said he fractured his wrist on a waterlogged road and said the platform offered no compensation or medical support. Labor groups organized a strike on New Year's Eve and demanded a minimum monthly income, transparent payment systems, and an end to arbitrary account suspensions.
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Key insights

  • 1

    NITI Aayog gig workforce projection: A 2022 NITI Aayog policy brief projects India’s gig workforce to rise from 7.7 million in 2020-21 to about 23.5 million in 2029-30.

  • 2

    Strike demands on minimum income: Labor groups demanded a minimum monthly income for every gig worker ranging between 24,000 and 40,000 rupees.

  • 3

    Call for welfare fund: Prashant Swardekar urged creation of a welfare fund with platform contributions for health insurance, accident coverage, pensions and other protections.

Takeaways

Gig worker groups are pressing demands for minimum income, benefits, and limits on account suspensions, with warnings of more strikes.

Topics

Work & Education Careers & Work World & Politics Policy & Regulation Law & Public Safety Public Safety

Read the full article on DW

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