The Rise of Gig Workers in Developing India: Impact and Opportunities

ABSTRACT

Recently, India has been seeing a fundamental reorientation in the culture around its workforce. The onset of the fourth industrial revolution was fueled in large part by the emergence of a multigenerational workforce with a wide range of expectations and needs. On one hand, the concept of virtual reality, flexible scheduling, adaptable workspaces, and flexible staffing has materialized for select individuals. However, on the other hand, numerous sectors have encountered significant challenges and arfe experiencing suboptimal performance. It was seen that things were changing. Numerous professions in the areas of delivery, home services, food and drinks, and e-commerce have evolved that are either temporary in nature, contractual in form, or part time work. These occupations are ideal for persons searching for short term projects and freelancers. These employees, who are often referred to as gig workers, have become an integral element of Indias growth and are making a significant contribution to the gig economy. It is worth mentioning that individuals with varying levels of expertise, both unskilled and skilled, have sought refuge in the gig economy concurrently. Platforms such as Amazon, Flipkart, Uber, Ola, and Urban Company have been developed and made accessible to individuals residing in India, irrespective of their geographical location, be it urban or rural. The goals of this study are to get an understanding of gig workers and the Gig economy, including the advantages that it provides to both employees and employers, its significance to the economy of India, and the function played by gig employment platforms. The researchers continue their efforts to identify the challenges that gig workers confront as well as the potential solutions to those challenges.

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