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31 Dec 2025·Source: The Hindu
2 min
Social IssuesEconomyPolity & GovernanceNEWS

Gig Workers Announce Strike Against Exploitation, Demand Core Labour Entitlements

Gig and platform workers strike today, demanding core labour entitlements and an end to exploitation.

Gig Workers Announce Strike Against Exploitation, Demand Core Labour Entitlements

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Gig and platform worker unions have announced a strike today to protest against their "systemic exclusion from core labour entitlements" and alleged "exploitation." They are seeking the Centre's intervention to address their grievances. This strike highlights the growing concerns over the working conditions, lack of social security benefits, and precarious employment status of gig workers in India's rapidly expanding gig economy. The demands underscore the need for a comprehensive regulatory framework that ensures fair wages, social protection, and recognition of gig workers as formal employees, rather than independent contractors, to safeguard their rights and welfare.

Key Facts

1.

Gig and platform worker unions announced a strike

2.

Protesting 'systemic exclusion from core labour entitlements'

3.

Demanding Centre's intervention against 'exploitation'

UPSC Exam Angles

1.

Social justice and welfare schemes for unorganised sector/gig workers (GS-2)

2.

Labour laws and reforms, particularly the new Labour Codes (GS-2, GS-3)

3.

Indian economy: employment patterns, informalization, future of work (GS-3)

4.

Constitutional provisions related to labour rights and Directive Principles of State Policy (GS-2)

5.

Role of NITI Aayog and government policy formulation for emerging economic models (GS-2, GS-3)

Visual Insights

India's Gig Economy: Key Statistics & Projections (2025)

This dashboard highlights the current scale and future projections of India's gig workforce, underscoring the significance of the ongoing strike and demands for social security.

Estimated Gig Workers (2025)
1.47 Crore+70 Lakh since 2020-21

Represents a significant portion of India's workforce, growing rapidly and contributing to the economy. The NITI Aayog report projected 2.35 crore by 2029-30.

Projected Gig Workers by 2029-30
2.35 Crore+88 Lakh from 2025

Indicates the immense future growth and the urgent need for a robust regulatory and social security framework to protect this expanding workforce.

States with Gig Worker Welfare Laws
1 (Rajasthan)N/A

Rajasthan is the first state to enact specific legislation (Rajasthan Platform Based Gig Workers Act, 2023), setting a precedent for other states and the Centre.

Key Hubs of India's Gig Economy & Regulatory Initiatives (2025)

This map illustrates major urban centers driving the gig economy and highlights states with specific regulatory frameworks for gig workers, providing a geographical context to the ongoing demands.

Loading interactive map...

📍Delhi📍Mumbai📍Bengaluru📍Hyderabad📍Chennai📍Kolkata📍Rajasthan
More Information

Background

The gig economy, characterized by short-term contracts or freelance work rather than permanent jobs, has been rapidly expanding globally and in India. While it offers flexibility and income opportunities, it often operates outside traditional labour laws, leading to precarious employment conditions, lack of social security, and exploitation concerns for workers. The debate revolves around classifying gig workers as 'employees' or 'independent contractors' and ensuring their welfare.

Latest Developments

Gig and platform worker unions in India have announced a strike to protest against their exclusion from core labour entitlements and alleged exploitation. They are demanding a comprehensive regulatory framework from the Centre that ensures fair wages, social protection, and recognition as formal employees. This highlights the growing pressure on the government to address the vulnerabilities faced by this segment of the workforce.

Practice Questions (MCQs)

1. Consider the following statements regarding the 'Gig Economy' in India: 1. A 'gig worker' is defined as a person who performs work or participates in a work arrangement and earns from such activities outside of a traditional employer-employee relationship. 2. The NITI Aayog report 'India's Booming Gig and Platform Economy' projects a significant increase in the gig workforce by 2029-30. 3. Platform workers are a sub-category of gig workers who use online platforms to connect with demand-side consumers or service providers. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  • A.1 and 2 only
  • B.2 and 3 only
  • C.1 and 3 only
  • D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer

Answer: D

All three statements are correct. The Code on Social Security, 2020, defines 'gig worker' as a person who performs work or participates in a work arrangement and earns from such activities outside of a traditional employer-employee relationship. 'Platform worker' is defined as a gig worker who accesses organisations or individuals through an online platform to provide services or solve specific problems. The NITI Aayog report indeed highlights the growth trajectory of the gig workforce in India.

2. With reference to the Code on Social Security, 2020, which of the following statements is NOT correct regarding gig workers?

  • A.It provides for the establishment of a Social Security Fund for gig workers.
  • B.It mandates that gig workers are entitled to all social security benefits available to traditional employees.
  • C.It defines 'gig worker' and 'platform worker' for the first time in Indian labour law.
  • D.The Central Government is empowered to frame schemes for gig workers regarding life and disability cover, health and maternity benefits.
Show Answer

Answer: B

Statement B is NOT correct. While the Code on Social Security, 2020, acknowledges gig workers and platform workers and empowers the Central Government to frame specific social security schemes for them (like life and disability cover, health and maternity benefits, provident fund, etc.) and provides for a Social Security Fund (Statements A, C, D are correct), it does NOT mandate that they are entitled to *all* social security benefits available to traditional employees. The distinction between 'employee' and 'gig worker' remains, and the benefits for gig workers are to be provided through separate schemes, not automatically mirroring those for formal employees.

3. The demands of gig workers for core labour entitlements and social security benefits are most closely aligned with which of the following provisions of the Constitution of India? 1. Article 38: State to secure a social order for the promotion of welfare of the people. 2. Article 41: Right to work, to education and to public assistance in certain cases. 3. Article 43: Living wage, etc., for workers. 4. Article 43A: Participation of workers in management of industries. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

  • A.1, 2 and 3 only
  • B.2, 3 and 4 only
  • C.1, 3 and 4 only
  • D.1, 2, 3 and 4
Show Answer

Answer: A

Articles 38, 41, and 43 are Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) that directly relate to social justice, welfare, right to work, and ensuring a living wage and humane conditions of work for all citizens, including workers. These provisions form the constitutional basis for demanding labour entitlements and social security. Article 43A, while also a DPSP related to workers, specifically deals with the 'participation of workers in management of industries' and is less directly about core entitlements like social security or living wage, which are the primary demands of the striking gig workers.

4. In the context of the rapidly expanding gig economy in India, which of the following statements correctly describes a unique challenge faced by gig workers compared to traditional informal sector workers?

  • A.Lack of formal contracts and job security.
  • B.Absence of collective bargaining power.
  • C.Algorithmic management and lack of transparency in work allocation and payment.
  • D.Vulnerability to economic downturns and market fluctuations.
Show Answer

Answer: C

While lack of formal contracts, job security (A), absence of collective bargaining power (B), and vulnerability to economic downturns (D) are challenges common to both traditional informal sector workers and gig workers, 'algorithmic management' is a unique characteristic of platform-based gig work. Gig workers often face opaque algorithms that dictate work allocation, pricing, incentives, and even termination, leading to a lack of transparency, control, and avenues for grievance redressal that is distinct from the challenges faced by traditional informal workers.

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