The year commenced with fumes around gig worker safety and the fair wage system debate. There has been a constant tension between worker unions and platform owners, raising questions around the status of gig workers in India. Economic Survey 2026, which was tabled by finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman today, has called for a policy which breaks down the power dynamic resting with platforms by implementing competition rules, data access, and algorithmic transparency. The survey said that since platforms hold most of the power in the gig market, it raises concern around fair wages, algorithms and worker protections. If implemented, a policy framework can reduce the cost gap between conventional jobs and gig work by limiting incentives and setting minimum per-hour or per-task wage, the survey added. It also calls for flexible credit and product access to gig workers by bringing platforms or aggregators to co-invest. “Many workers cannot upgrade from low- to medium-skilled gigs because they lack tools (for example, a bike, car, or specialised equipment). Encouraging platforms and employers to co-invest in assets and training could help workers progress into more secure, higher-quality jobs,” the survey added. As per Indian Staffing Federation, the gig workforce saw a 55% jump… Read MoreInc42 Media
