Archive · 17 Jan 2026
India's Gig Workers Face Challenges
India's gig economy, which includes workers like food delivery partners and ride-hailing drivers, is growing rapidly.
However, it faces several challenges.
Some states are making their own rules, which can be confusing and unfair for workers who move around a lot.
Workers often have to work long hours for low pay, and they don't have benefits like health insurance or paid leave.
There are also concerns about safety, as workers are pressured to deliver quickly.
Some people think that platforms and policymakers need to make changes to ensure that workers are treated fairly and have better working conditions.
Consumers can also help by being more patient and understanding the challenges that gig workers face.
India's gig economy is facing balkanisation due to divergent state legislations, creating uneven playing fields and regulatory arbitrage.
Gig workers often work long hours for low and unpredictable pay, with no benefits like health insurance or paid leave.
There are concerns about worker safety, as they are often pressured to deliver quickly and may not have access to proper grievance mechanisms.
Some platforms and policymakers are taking steps to address these issues, such as rolling back ultra-fast delivery claims and issuing advisories on worker safety.
Consumers can also play a role in improving working conditions by being more patient and understanding the challenges that gig workers face.
- Who
- Gig workers, digital platforms, state governments, central government, consumers
- What
- Challenges and regulatory issues in India's gig economy
- When
- Present, with reference to recent legislative and regulatory developments
- Where
- India, specifically states like Jharkhand and Karnataka
- Why
- To protect gig workers and ensure fair working conditions, but facing economic distortion and regulatory arbitrage
- Author
- Raghav Pandey, Director, Centre for Regulatory Studies (CRS), National Law University Delhi
- Central Code on Social Security (CoSS)
- 2020
- States with divergent legislation
- Jharkhand, Karnataka
- Proposed Welfare Board powers
- Pricing and remuneration of gig workers
- Central levy under CoSS
- 5% of payout
- State levy in Jharkhand
- 1-2% of turnover
- Estimated gig workers in India (2020-21)
- 7.7 million
- Projected gig workers by 2029-30
- 23.5 million
Sources
The balkanisation of gig work
The Indian gig economy is running on forced labour
Beyond The 10-Minute Debate: What Do India's Gig Workers Need?
90-day work norm for gig workers’ social security may be eased
Govt monitoring gig workers safety after advisory to drop 10-min delivery claim