Gig and Platform Workers

Code on Social Security, 2020 envisages benefits for gig and platform workers.

Maintaining excellent industrial relations has been delegated to the Central Industrial Relations Machinery (CIRM).
In addition, workers’ interests in establishments under Central Government supervision are protected.
The respective State Governments have control over concerns concerning delivery employees.
For the first time, the definitions of “gig worker” and “platform worker” are included in the Code on Social Security, 2020.

Gig Workers
- Gig workers work hourly or part-time in jobs ranging from catering to software development.
- They have an unusual work arrangement with their employers and a unique employer-employee relationship.
- The task is usually temporary and must be completed within a certain time.
- The Code on Social Security, 2020 [Section 2(35)] defines a gig worker as a person.
- They perform labour or participate in a work arrangement and earn money from such activities outside of traditional employer-employee relationships.’
- Gig workers include freelancers, contingent employees, and independent contractors.
- A part-time professor can also be considered a gig worker.
Platform Workers
- A platform worker works for a company offering online services to individuals or businesses.
- Platform workers include Ola or Uber drivers, Swiggy or Zomato delivery agents, etc.
- A platform worker is defined as “a person engaged in or undertaking platform work” by the Social Security Code.
- Platform work is defined in Section 2(55) of the Code as a type of employment in which organisations or individuals use an online platform.
  - It is to access other organisations or individuals in exchange for payment to solve specific problems or provide specific services.
- This work also falls outside of the typical employee-employer relationship.

Pros
- It provides workers freedom by allowing them to work for many businesses simultaneously and, in certain situations, set their salary.
- It allows professionals to put their skills to the test in an area of interest to them.
- For example, independent writers can try a part-time job before committing to it full-time.
- This type of labour also allows for the employment of remote people.
Cons
- Such workers are typically denied advantages that companies provide to regular employees, such as health insurance and paid leave.
- Such work generallyIssues faced by the Platforms Workers suffers from variable remuneration and a lack of job stability.
- While it is true that gig and platform workers have greater employment freedom.
- They are still bound by control mechanisms wired by the platforms’ algorithms.
- This impacts work hours, cost, and so forth.
- Furthermore, access to vehicular assets is required for entry into on-demand platform work such as ride-sharing and food delivery.
- It is insufficient for the average Indian worker.
- Such workers rely on intense financing plans to enter the platform economy.
- Platform aggregator corporations frequently enable them.

Classification as Employees
- One platform workers’ biggest challenge is that they are frequently classed as independent contractors rather than employees.
- As a result, they are ineligible for minimum wage, overtime pay, and workers’ compensation benefits.
Low Wages
- Many platform workers in India are paid very little, frequently less than the minimum wage.
- This is partly due to platform companies competing on pricing and a vast pool of people ready to accept low-paying jobs.
Long Working Hours
- Platform employees must frequently work long hours to sustain themselves and their families.
- This can result in exhaustion and burnout.
Lack of Social Protection
- Platform workers cannot access social security benefits like pensions or insurance.
- This puts them in danger of an accident or illness.
Discrimination
- Some platform firms have been accused of discriminating against specific worker groups, such as women or workers from lower castes.
- Dalit gig workers endure prejudice regarding limited employment opportunities, low earnings, and social marginalisation.
- After learning about the faith of Muslim delivery drivers, some clients may refuse to use their services or cancel their purchases.

The most critical lesson from China is the surge of public opinion, which has resulted in government regulation and changes in corporate policies.
Customers in the United States have been urged to remove the Instacart app as a sign of solidarity until requests for better working conditions are realised.
Indians should learn more about how platforms work by approaching delivery personnel and inquiring about their working conditions and the difficulties they experience.
We will then be aware of the cost that a person, who appears just as a small bike on our apps, pays for our convenience.

Pic Courtesy: Gigonomy

Content Source: PIB