India’s gig workforce has surged 55% since 2021 to reach 12 million workers, now representing over 2% of the country’s labor force, according to the government’s latest Economic Survey released Thursday. But the rapid expansion has exposed deep fault lines in worker protections, with 40% earning below Rs 15,000 monthly. The report notes that workers cannot afford the basic equipment needed to escape low-paying gigs.”Many cannot move from low- to medium-skilled gigs because they lack tools,” the report notes, pointing to bikes, cars, or specialized equipment as barriers. Access to capital remains a critical constraint. Workers cannot upgrade from motorcycle delivery to car-based services without financing. The survey proposes platforms and employers to co-invest in worker assets and training. This would enable delivery workers to acquire vehicles for ride-hailing, or basic equipment for skilled trades.India’s gig economy is projected to contribute Rs 2.35 lakh crore ($28 billion) to GDP by 2030 and represent 6.7% of the non-agricultural workforce. But without addressing access to productive assets, millions risk being locked into precarious, low-wage work even as the sector expands.Ecommerce dominates the sector with 3.7 million gig workers—roughly 31% of the total—followed by logistics at 1.5 million. 1335 people loved this storyWhat… Read MoreYourStory RSS Feed
