Whether we want to go somewhere or eat or order something, we order with our fingers on our mobile while sitting at home and within minutes the delivery boy shows up at the door with the goods. After all, who are these people? These are the biggest characters of the gig economy. This is the platform that is at the forefront of providing fast employment. According to the NITI Aayog report, 77 lakh people were connected to the gig economy till 2020-21 which will increase to 2.35 crore by 2029-30. Gig economy means temporary jobs like Uber, Ola, Swiggy and Zomato etc. Their average monthly earnings are 11 thousand or less, but for this they have to risk their lives.
1. What does gig mean? What is the gig economy? A gig means a job that is for a short period of time. It relates to an economy in which there is no specific contract between the company and the employee. It was started in the country by Airbnb, an online marketplace company. 2. What are the advantages/disadvantages of the gig economy? A person can work for several companies simultaneously. You can change the job of your choice whenever you want. You can decide the working time yourself. This is a beneficial thing. The disadvantage is that they do not get facilities like provident fund, health insurance. Salary deducted on sickness or leave. There is no job guarantee. Income is not fixed. There is no career growth in it. Many types of gig workers are not covered by the Labor Code. They do not get benefits like retirement scheme. There are also no concrete rules in cases of sexual harassment at workplace. 3. Why is the gig economy growing so fast in the country? According to the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India, the country's gig economy is growing at a compound annual growth rate of 17%. By 2024, about Rs. It is estimated to cross 38 lakh crores. The main reason is that many lost their jobs due to Korana, so people started temporary jobs. The rise in smartphone usage and the availability of high-speed internet have made it easier for workers and businesses to connect to online platforms, giving the gig economy a new impetus. The rapid growth of online business in the country has increased the demand for delivery and logistics services, leading to the growth of the gig economy in these areas. 4. What kinds of new risks does it create? Many companies exploit gig workers by misclassifying them as contractors to evade taxes. They are paid less than traditional employees. Legal protection is also not available. There is a lack of data and research on the gig economy, making it difficult for policymakers to properly understand its size, scope and impact on the economy. 5. What steps the Center needs to take for this? The Center should formulate a clear policy for the gig economy. So that the social security of the gig workers can be ensured. Also, companies can also be held liable. There is a need to rapidly increase investment in education and training programs to improve their skills and increase their earning potential. Infrastructure should be created to increase women's participation in the gig workforce. They should also get equal labor rights.
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).
