Title: The gig economy in India: growth, challenges and the way forward

Authors: Suman Kharbanda; Poonam Bewtra; Supriya Kamna

Addresses: Shivaji College, University of Delhi, Raja Garden, New Delhi 110027, India ' Janaki Devi College, University of Delhi, Old Rajinder Nagar, New Delhi, Delhi 110060, India ' Shivaji College, University of Delhi, Raja Garden, New Delhi 110027, India

Abstract: Gig economy refers to a labour market characterised by the prevalence of short-term contracts, freelance or project-based work, and temporary or on-demand jobs for workers who are not on the rolls of any company or firm. In recent years, the changing employer employee relationship has led to emergence of gig economy across the world. This has brought in various pertinent issues related to workers, employers and the economy in general. This paper enumerates the factors that have led to the growth of gig economy in India, the risks and the challenges faced by the companies or platforms who use gig services and the workers who are not in a nine to five job. This paper has listed and critically examined the policy measures which have been taken by the Government of India to support the gig workers. The study concludes by giving certain policy recommendations and implications for the benefit of the gig economy.

Keywords: gig economy; platform workers; gig jobs; social security; contract workers; freelancers; platforms; Atmanirbhar; e shram; India.

DOI: 10.1504/IJICBM.2024.141580

International Journal of Indian Culture and Business Management, 2024 Vol.33 No.1, pp.47 - 65

Received: 04 Apr 2023
Accepted: 09 Apr 2023
Published online: 25 Sep 2024 *

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