Online platforms and workers to benefit as Budget formalises gig economy
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Online platforms and workers to benefit as Budget formalises gig economy

Live Mint  

Online platforms such as Swiggy, Zomato, Amazon and Flipkart are likely to see increased interest for delivery-partner and warehouse-worker jobs as the Union Budget has proposed formalising the gig economy, industry executives told Mint. Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced in her budget speech on Saturday that gig workers would be provided health insurance under the government’s flagship Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana. "The digital economy has significantly broadened job opportunities, encompassing roles from delivery personnel, cab drivers, and beauty professionals to software engineers and data analysts," according to the Economic Survey 2024-25. Moreover, hyperlocal service platforms have revolutionised the job landscape in the transportation, food delivery, and home services industries by creating flexible employment options by leveraging technology while transforming traditional service sectors into digitally driven ecosystems, the survey added.

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History of this topic

Budget focus firmly on employment generation: Labour Minster
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Budget focus firmly on employment generation: Labour Minster

The Hindu  

The Labour Ministry got its highest ever allocation in this year’s Union Budget and the increase in funding will help focus on the new employment generation scheme, Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Sunday. The Ministry’s main focus is the new Employment Generation Scheme, for which the budgetary allocation has been doubled from ₹10,000 crore to ₹20,000 crore. “The allocation …

Gig workers celebrate after Centre recognises the sector
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Gig workers celebrate after Centre recognises the sector

Deccan Chronicle  

The announcement made by Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Union Budget, was widely welcomed by the over one crore gig and online platform workers in the country. Dinker Vashisht, vice-president, Swiggy, told this newspaper, "It is a very encouraging move that platform and gig workers are being considered as an important part of India's urban landscape. Its founder …

Gig workers welcome move for social security board
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Gig workers welcome move for social security board

The Hindu  

The Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union on Saturday welcomed Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s social security scheme for workers during the Budget but maintained that the move would be effective only if aggregators share data they have on these workers. Healthcare under the PM Jan Aryoga Yojana would be provided and nearly one crore gig workers will stand to …

Union Budget 2025: From ID cards to healthcare, the benefits for gig workers
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Union Budget 2025: From ID cards to healthcare, the benefits for gig workers

Firstpost  

In a significant move, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in her Union Budget 2025, has provided much-needed relief and recognition to India’s growing gig economy. The government has introduced a social security scheme aimed at formalising the unorganised sector and helped over 1 crore independent workers gain access to healthcare benefits Currently, India has around 10 million gig workers, of which …

Union Budget 2025: From ID cards to healthcare, the benefits for gig workers
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Union Budget 2025: From ID cards to healthcare, the benefits for gig workers

Firstpost  

In a significant move, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in her Union Budget 2025, has provided much-needed relief and recognition to India’s growing gig economy. The government has introduced a social security scheme aimed at formalising the unorganised sector and helped over 1 crore independent workers gain access to healthcare benefits Currently, India has around 10 million gig workers, of which …

Health Insurance, ID Cards, And More: Budget 2025 Has Big Promises For Gig Workers
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Health Insurance, ID Cards, And More: Budget 2025 Has Big Promises For Gig Workers

ABP News  

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Union Budget 2025 presentation on Saturday announced that the government will provide more social security services and benefits to gig workers. Acknowledging the importance of gig workers, Sitharaman said that the government will provide them identity cards and also register them on the e-Shram portal. “Gig workers of online platforms provide great dynamism to …

Budget 2025: Gig workers to receive health insurance under govt’s flagship scheme
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Budget 2025: Gig workers to receive health insurance under govt’s flagship scheme

Live Mint  

New Delhi: Gig workers will be provided healthcare under the government’s flagship health assurance scheme Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced in her Budget speech on Saturday. Currently, the National Health Authority is the agency that implements the world’s largest health insurance scheme, which provides health cover of ₹5 lakh per family per …

Gig workers demand transparency and support from food delivery aggregator, call for fair pay and insurance guidance
2 months ago

Gig workers demand transparency and support from food delivery aggregator, call for fair pay and insurance guidance

The Hindu  

Gig workers sat at a demonstration in Hyderabad on Saturday, demanding that a food delivery aggregator bring about greater transparency in releasing payouts and provide a strong support system to deal with insurance-related issues. In case of insurance, a lot of delivery workers do not know how it works and the company should ensure that guidance is given whenever required,” …

Gig workers write to NHRC, demand paid leaves, health benefits
3 months ago

Gig workers write to NHRC, demand paid leaves, health benefits

Deccan Chronicle  

Hyderabad: Gig and platform workers, who form the backbone of India’s digital economy, continue to face challenges that compromise their rights, welfare, and dignity. Addressing these concerns, Shaik Salauddin, founder-president of the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union and national general secretary of the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers, has called on the National Human Rights Commission to take …

Govt plans to launch social security scheme for gig economy workers | Know benefits
6 months, 2 weeks ago

Govt plans to launch social security scheme for gig economy workers | Know benefits

India TV News  

Social Security Scheme: The central government is likely to announce a social security scheme for the estimated 7.7 million gig workers in the country. As per the reports, aggregators may be required to contribute 1-2 per cent of their revenue to establish a social security fund, which would offer health insurance and other benefits to workers. Labor Minister meets officials …

HDFC Bank launches GIGA, a suite of products and services for gig workers
6 months, 3 weeks ago

HDFC Bank launches GIGA, a suite of products and services for gig workers

Live Mint  

HDFC Bank has launched a range of digital-first products and services designed for gig workers, called GIGA. Sunali Rohra, head of gig banking, startups and government and institutional business at HDFC Bank, told Mint on the sidelines of Global Fintech Fest in Mumbai, “Estimates suggest that there are about 30 million gig workers in India who are self-employed. Our special …

Union Budget 2024: Medical insurance and retirement benefits for gig workers possible
8 months, 1 week ago

Union Budget 2024: Medical insurance and retirement benefits for gig workers possible

Hindustan Times  

With the Union Budget 2024 scheduled to be presented on June 23 by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the government is likely to create a social security fund for gig workers to provide medical and accident insurance cover alongside retirement benefits, CNBC-Awaaz reported, citing unnamed sources. Workers, aggregators and the government shall contribute to this fund and institutions like the Employees …

How Does Karnataka Aim To Protect Platform-Based Gig Workers? What’s In The Draft Bill?
8 months, 2 weeks ago

How Does Karnataka Aim To Protect Platform-Based Gig Workers? What’s In The Draft Bill?

News 18  

After Rajasthan, Karnataka has become the second state to regulate the social security and welfare of platform-based gig workers by creation of a board, welfare fund and grievance cell. The Karnataka Platform Based Gig Workers Bill, 2024, which was published by the state government, is likely to be tabled in the Monsoon Session of the Assembly later this month. According …

Understanding the gig economy in the age of AI
10 months, 1 week ago

Understanding the gig economy in the age of AI

Hindustan Times  

The recent report by Ipsos Research Private Limited has revealed that a staggering 88% of gig workers rely on gig economy platforms as their primary source of income. The gig economy's flexibility has slowly entered almost all industries, with employers and gig workers recognising the opportunity for mutual advantage. As per the Skilled Employment in Construction Sector in India report …

Understanding the gig economy in the age of AI
10 months, 1 week ago

Understanding the gig economy in the age of AI

Hindustan Times  

The recent report by Ipsos Research Private Limited has revealed that a staggering 88% of gig workers rely on gig economy platforms as their primary source of income. The gig economy's flexibility has slowly entered almost all industries, with employers and gig workers recognising the opportunity for mutual advantage. This, in turn, will generate more employment opportunities for both skilled …

85% of gig workers work for more than 8 hours: study
1 year ago

85% of gig workers work for more than 8 hours: study

The Hindu  

A survey conducted among more than 5,000 gig and platform workers across 32 cities in the country has found that 85% of them work above eight hours a day as drivers and riders and within that, 21% work sweat it out for more than 12 hours a day. The survey conducted by Janpahal, a Delhi-based NGO, recommended that governments and …

Online gig work is growing rapidly, but workers lack job protections, a World Bank report says
1 year, 6 months ago

Online gig work is growing rapidly, but workers lack job protections, a World Bank report says

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Online gig work is growing …

Online gig work is growing rapidly, but workers lack job protections, a World Bank report says
1 year, 6 months ago

Online gig work is growing rapidly, but workers lack job protections, a World Bank report says

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Online gig work is growing globally, particularly in the developing world, creating an important source of employment for women and young people in poorer countries where jobs are scarce, according to a World Bank report released Thursday. For women in the developing world, “there aren’t enough opportunities and they really struggle to get good quality jobs because of …

Rajasthan’s gig law a step in the right direction, but more needed to protect platform workers
1 year, 7 months ago

Rajasthan’s gig law a step in the right direction, but more needed to protect platform workers

The Hindu  

Published : Aug 10, 2023 11:00 IST - 17 MINS READ The passing of the Rajasthan Platform Based Gig Workers Act, 2023, by the Rajasthan Assembly on July 24 is a celebratory moment for gig workers and their unions. This small win holds implications for such workers across India as pressure is now building on other States to bring platform …

Gig law can shape 21st century welfare models
1 year, 7 months ago

Gig law can shape 21st century welfare models

Hindustan Times  

July has been an important month for gig and platform workers with the G20 labour and employment ministers’ meeting foregrounding social security thanks to India’s stewardship, and creating a policy imagination on social security for these workers, despite their nebulous classification. The Hamal and Mathadi worker welfare board has been a particularly excellent example of a model working to safeguard …

Indian state’s new tax on digital platforms sets gig workers against firms
1 year, 8 months ago

Indian state’s new tax on digital platforms sets gig workers against firms

Al Jazeera  

The new law will impose a tax on each transaction on digital platforms to fund a welfare scheme for gig workers. Gig workers have welcomed a new law in India’s largest state Rajasthan to impose a tax on revenue earned by digital platforms that operate in the state, including global giants Uber and Amazon, even as industry groups have warned …

Karnataka budget 2023: Insurance coverage of ₹4 lakhs announced for e-commerce delivery employees
1 year, 8 months ago

Karnataka budget 2023: Insurance coverage of ₹4 lakhs announced for e-commerce delivery employees

Live Mint  

Karnataka's Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, while unveiling the budget for the fiscal year 2023-24, has introduced a notable provision. The budget now includes a provision for life and accident insurance, offering coverage of 4 lakh to e-commerce delivery personnel associated with renowned platforms like Swiggy, Zomato, and Amazon. “In order to provide social security to the ‘Gig Workers’ in the unorganised …

Parties wake up to heft of gig workers
1 year, 10 months ago

Parties wake up to heft of gig workers

The Hindu  

On Tuesday, Telangana Industries and Commerce Minister K.T. Rama Rao made a suggestion to an online delivery company to consider a tri-partite agreement for the welfare of gig and platform workers. The Congress manifesto in Karnataka promises to establish a Gig Workers’ Welfare Board by allocating ₹3,000 crore as seed money. “To mandate a minimum hourly wage for all gig …

Rajasthan outlines plan for gig workers’ welfare
1 year, 11 months ago

Rajasthan outlines plan for gig workers’ welfare

Hindustan Times  

The Rajasthan government has proposed to levy a “welfare cess” on consumers to ensure better rights and facilities for gig workers in the draft of a new law that also provides for a fine up to ₹1 crore on errant aggregators, officials aware of the matter said. HT Image According to the draft of the bill, seen by HT, the …

Gig economy shifts as Uber takes on supermarket delivery, government pushes for minimum employment standards
1 year, 11 months ago

Gig economy shifts as Uber takes on supermarket delivery, government pushes for minimum employment standards

ABC  

The gig economy — demonised for starvation wages, disempowered workers and eroding workplace rights — might be growing up. Key points: Uber and a transport union have signed a "charter" calling for minimum conditions It means drivers must be paid at least as much as it costs to do the work Apps may be trying to get ahead of proposed …

A new deal to protect India’s gig workers?
2 years ago

A new deal to protect India’s gig workers?

Hindustan Times  

Last month, as part of its budget for 2023-24, Rajasthan announced that the state will enact a law for the protection of gig workers, establish a welfare board, and devote ₹200 crore for this purpose. It will be administered by a welfare board, which — if labour demands are fulfilled — will have representatives of the government, platform companies and …

Gig economy: Building a more conducive ecosystem for the workers in 2023
2 years, 2 months ago

Gig economy: Building a more conducive ecosystem for the workers in 2023

Firstpost  

Over the last five years, the Indian gig economy has evolved from a pool of primarily low-skilled workers to a $15 million strong workforce across low, mid and high-skill segments. Now that the Indian gig economy has matured to a certain extent, it becomes the collective responsibility of all stakeholders to step together and create an ecosystem that is more …

Uber and Amazon have some of the poorest working conditions for gig workers in India reveals study
2 years, 2 months ago

Uber and Amazon have some of the poorest working conditions for gig workers in India reveals study

Firstpost  

A study by Fairwork India has revealed that Ola, Uber, Amazon, Dunzo and PharmEasy has some of the worst working conditions for their gig workers, who are not given fair pay, fair contracts, fair management, or even fair representation at work. Several prominent startups in India, including Ola, Uber, Dunzo, PharmEasy and Amazon have some of the worst working conditions …

Gig Workers Are Getting Crushed by the Review Mill
55 years, 2 months ago

Gig Workers Are Getting Crushed by the Review Mill

Wired  

After experimenting with most freelance marketplace platforms, Stockholm-based Lars, who is a writer and translator, settled on Fiverr in September 2021. “I was always at the top of Fiverr’s first search page before, then in the blink of an eye, all my gigs were at the bottom of the very last page,” explains Lars, who like all other gig workers …

Gig economy and 'Uberisation' overhaul as Albanese government preps laws to change employment
2 years, 6 months ago

Gig economy and 'Uberisation' overhaul as Albanese government preps laws to change employment

ABC  

Minimum wages, job security and better conditions could be coming for millions of Australian workers in the so-called "gig economy". "The problem with the gig economy across industries is that it is reducing and lowering the entitlements and the rights and the protections of workers," Jordan O'Reilly says. "Without changes, without a real hard look at the growth of the …

India’s gig workforce will grow to 2.35 crore by 2029-30: Niti Aayog study
2 years, 9 months ago

India’s gig workforce will grow to 2.35 crore by 2029-30: Niti Aayog study

The Hindu  

The government’s policy think tank Niti Aayog has recommended that measures should be taken to provide for social security, including paid leave, occupational disease and work accident insurance, support during irregularity of work and pension plans, for the gig workforce in the country, which is expected to grow to 2.35 crore by 2029-30. The report broadly classifies gig workers — …

Why gig work is so hard to regulate
3 years ago

Why gig work is so hard to regulate

BBC  

Why gig work is so hard to regulate Getty Policymakers in many nations are trying to reform the gig economy. “It’s logical that platforms that heavily rely on such a model of working with independent contractors, and shifting economic risk to these workers, will try to find ways to kind of evade responsibility of employers.” Overall, platform work regulation has …

Reaping the potential of the female workforce
3 years ago

Reaping the potential of the female workforce

The Hindu  

The large-scale adoption of digital and smartphone technologies and the increased need for personal care for the sick, elderly and children have opened up employment opportunities, especially for women. Women also form a significant proportion of the workforce in the education sector in India, especially in primary education and early childhood care. Not only would greater investment in better health …

Our expanding gig economy must treat workers fairly
3 years, 3 months ago

Our expanding gig economy must treat workers fairly

Live Mint  

The gig economy and its growing fault lines between gig employees and platform companies are in the news again, with 50 women “partners" of Urban Company’s salon and spa vertical protesting against policy changes that will come into effect from January. The gig economy refers to “economic activity that involves the use of temporary or freelance workers to perform jobs …

E.U. plans to boost gig economy workers' rights
3 years, 3 months ago

E.U. plans to boost gig economy workers' rights

The Hindu  

The European Commission on December 9 presented new proposals that could see millions of workers for companies such as Uber and Deliveroo reclassified as employees rather than as freelancers. "Platform workers deserve the same level of protection as everyone in the European Union under our social model," European Commission Vice President Valdis Dombrovksis said at a news conference in Brussels. …

Gig apps for a pandemic economy: Part time, no commitment
3 years, 7 months ago

Gig apps for a pandemic economy: Part time, no commitment

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “It’s the student that needs to have money to …

‘Most gig workers lost income during pandemic’
4 years, 5 months ago

‘Most gig workers lost income during pandemic’

The Hindu  

Almost 90% of gig workers in India have lost income during the pandemic, according to a survey by Flourish Ventures, a global fintech venture capital fund. The survey, conducted among 770 ride-sharing drivers, delivery workers and house cleaners in August, found incomes had collapsed since the lockdown with almost nine out of ten gig workers earning less than ₹15,000 a …

Gig workers face shifting roles, competition in pandemic
4 years, 8 months ago

Gig workers face shifting roles, competition in pandemic

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — There were the two-hour, unpaid waits outside supermarkets when San Francisco first started to lock down, on top of the heavy shopping bags that had to be lugged up countless flights of stairs. “It was really hard, because at that time, I could not afford to stay home because I had to pay rent.” Okawa is one …

Gig economy ‘like quick sand’ for vulnerable workers who face insecurity and indignity, report says
5 years, 1 month ago

Gig economy ‘like quick sand’ for vulnerable workers who face insecurity and indignity, report says

The Telegraph  

Workers in Britain’s gig economy are struggling to escape from a toxic combination of pervasive financial insecurity and indignity as temporary jobs leave them with little certainty over their future, a new report has claimed. The rise of the gig economy in recent years has seen apps like Uber, Deliveroo and others offer flexible working opportunities, with at least one …

The ‘gig’ economy. It’s creating lakhs of jobs — but workers don’t see it as a long-term option
5 years, 6 months ago

The ‘gig’ economy. It’s creating lakhs of jobs — but workers don’t see it as a long-term option

The Hindu  

Slim and soft-spoken, Venugopal S. is nearly always on the move. Each day carries with it insecurity and stress.” Venugopal’s story echoes with thousands of urban youth and recent migrants to cities where technology-based gig jobs — such as Uber, Ola, Swiggy, Zomato, Dunzo and many others — outnumber available opportunities in the formal employment market. Oxford Internet Institute’s FairWork …

The appeal and perils of the gig economy
6 years, 4 months ago

The appeal and perils of the gig economy

Live Mint  

One of the big trends we have seen over the last decade is the rise of the “gig economy”—where, instead of full-time employment, organisations contract with independent workers for short-term engagements. The UK Labour Party has announced that if it comes to power, it will ensure full employment rights for gig economy workers, including sick leave and maternity leave. An …

The people changing retirement with side hustles
6 years, 5 months ago

The people changing retirement with side hustles

BBC  

The people changing retirement with side hustles Cooper Neill 68-year-old Hays expanded his Fiverr offerings to scriptwriting and copywriting, which he is able to complete flexibily from his home in Fort Worth, Texas Many of the workers powering the gig economy aren't the young people you might expect. “‘Nobody wants to employ me anymore.’” She’d taken pride in her work …

Labour would give 'gig economy' workers full employment rights, John McDonnell says
6 years, 6 months ago

Labour would give 'gig economy' workers full employment rights, John McDonnell says

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A Labour government would give temporary workers and those on zero-hours …

On the job: Gig economy takes you away from 9 to 5 grind
6 years, 9 months ago

On the job: Gig economy takes you away from 9 to 5 grind

Deccan Chronicle  

People around the globe are increasingly veering away from traditional employment models to undertake freelance work. Pratik Solanki, co-founder, Weybec Studio believes that “Many professionals choose to work independently because of the slow growth and monotony they experience in the 9 to 5 job format. “Small enterprises with space crunch are happy to hire freelancers on a project basis who …

Gig economy threatened by increasing regulation to ensure workers' rights
7 years, 8 months ago

Gig economy threatened by increasing regulation to ensure workers' rights

ABC  

It's been an interesting year for the multinational gig economy — the loose conglomeration of companies including Uber, Deliveroo and Airtasker that connect users online with independent contractors willing to deliver something to them, drive them around, or complete miscellaneous tasks. Earlier this month, UK Prime Minister Theresa May launched the Taylor Review into Employment Practices in the Modern Economy, …

Gig economy workers should get more protection: UK report
7 years, 8 months ago

Gig economy workers should get more protection: UK report

Live Mint  

London: Workers in the so-called gig economy, from Uber drivers to delivery cyclists, need greater labour protections, according to a much-anticipated report published Tuesday that was commissioned by the government. We have also heard accounts of poor management practices which make people’s working lives miserable.” Unions have sharply criticized the report, describing it as a lost opportunity to address inequity …

Gig economy will create social classes and divide Australians, UTS researcher says
7 years, 8 months ago

Gig economy will create social classes and divide Australians, UTS researcher says

ABC  

Australia is at risk of being stratified economically if the 'gig economy' continues to grow, according to University of Technology Sydney future of work research director Sarah Kaine. Freedom versus manipulation Initially viewed as disruptive technology that worked to shake up existing industry and provide workers with flexibility, Dr Kaine said gig platforms were now being viewed with more scepticism …

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