Gig Workers are Suffering: Study

Published: 14th Mar, 2024

Context

A recent study of app-based workers shows they work long hours for low pay, with no social security, creating a loop of issues for them.

1: Dimension- Scope of the problem

Overburdened with work: Almost a third of app-based cab drivers work for over 14 hours a day, while more than 83% work more than 10 hours and 60% work over 12 hours.
Social disparities: Over 60% of the drivers from Scheduled Castes and Tribes working for over 14 hours a day, while only 16% from the unreserved category work such long hours.
Income disparities: There exists income disparities and these income disparities further exacerbate the already existing social inequalities and perpetuate cycles of poverty and distress within these communities.
Risks: Due to the demanding work hours, the drivers are physically exhausted, and exposed to an increased risk of road traffic accidents, especially due to the ‘10-minute delivery at the doorstep’ policy of certain e-commerce platforms.
Additional stress: The lack of social and job security creates additional stress and leads to potential health issues.

2: Dimension-Rules in developed economies

UK Supreme Court: In 2021, in a landmark judgment, the UK Supreme Court classified Uber drivers as ‘workers’ under the UK Employment Rights Act 1996, thus entitling them to various benefits like paid holidays and minimum wages.
Dutch High Courtalso handed down a similar ruling, stating that the legal relationship between Uber and the drivers meets all the characteristics of an employment contract, making them entitled to workers’ rights under local labour laws.
The Superior Court of Californiastruck down a 2020 ballot measure known as Proposition 22 that excluded gig workers from labour laws by declaring them ‘independent contractors’.
Germany’s Temporary Employment Actprovides for equal pay and equal treatment of gig workers.

3: Dimension- Required measures

There is need of stronger social security for app-based workers.
The government needs to exercise oversight on the fairness of algorithms and mechanisms used by platforms to monitor such workers.

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