Neil Banerjee
The gig economy’s growth in India has ushered in a revolution in urban job markets. Cab drivers for Ola and Uber or delivery people working for Zomato and Swiggy show how app-based work now plays a key role in India’s workforce. It claims to offer freedom and flexibility, but the real-life experiences of these workers paint a different picture. A study called the ‘Working and Living Conditions of App-Based Workers in India’ conducted by PAIGAM and backed by thorough research, highlights the hardships, financial worries, and health issues that these workers deal with. This piece takes a close look at what the study found, explores the human impact of the gig economy, and talks about possible changes in rules and regulations.
The hard work behind the steering wheel
Over 83 per cent drivers are working for over 10 hours a day, close to 60 per cent are working for over 12 hours a day, and a glaring 31 per cent drivers are working for over 14 hours a day.
The daily grind of a gig worker often means putting in many hours and dealing with an unpredictable income. The report shows that more than 83 per cent of drivers spend over 10 hours a day working, and a whopping 60 per cent push past 12-hour shifts. The promise of being your own boss seems far-fetched when you hear from drivers like Rajeev Sharma, who works for Uber in Delhi:
“I’ve been using the app for the past four years. At first it was doable but now it’s harder to make a living. Most days, after I take out money for gas, food, and upkeep, I’m left with about ₹500. To earn a decent amount, I end up working 12 to 14 hours each day. The platform takes a big cut through fees, and sometimes there are weird deductions that I can’t figure out.”
43.10 per cent of the respondents earn below 500 INR a day after deducting personal expenses
Income continues to be one of the biggest hurdles for gig workers. The study revealed that 43.1 per cent of those surveyed earn less than ₹500 daily after paying for costs like fuel. For many, this money doesn’t even cover household bills. Sunny Sahani, who works for Ola in Lucknow, says:
“The fares keep dropping, while the company takes a larger share. Some days, I bring home ₹400 after working over 12 hours. Gas prices are going up, but our pay stays the same. I have a family to take care of, and it is getting tougher each month.”
Workers face even more hardships due to random cuts in their pay. The study reveals that 68 per cent of drivers had money taken from their earnings because of the unfair app formula’s random fee rates, and unclear charges. This murky system leaves many workers short on cash and unable to figure out how their pay is worked out.
Delivery workers don’t have it any better. The study points out that 34.4 per cent of delivery workers make less than ₹10,000 a month after costs. Rakesh Mehra, who delivers for Swiggy, sheds light on how risky their job is:
“The biggest problem we face is the 10-minute delivery rule. It becomes almost impossible to deliver food in such a short time without risking accidents. Some days, I barely make ₹400 after riding all day. We don’t get any compensation for the risks we take.”
The stress of meeting tight delivery deadlines while earning low wages puts a lot of pressure on delivery workers, leaving them overworked and underpaid.
Health and well-being: The hidden costs of gig work
The extended work hours and money troubles have negatively impacted the physical and mental well-being of app-based workers. The study showed that 99.3 per cent of drivers had health problems, with typical issues like back pain, leg pain, and not enough sleep. Ravi Kumar, an Ola driver from Hyderabad, gives a clear picture of these health battles:
“The long shifts wear me out. I’m behind the wheel 12 to 14 hours most days, sometimes even longer. It takes a huge toll on my body – my back aches, my legs seize up, and I can’t catch enough shut-eye. The mental strain is just as rough. You’re always stressing about getting enough fares, dealing with traffic jams, and worrying that riders might cancel or give you bad ratings. All this increases the pressure, and the company doesn’t offer any help for these issues.”
The mental health of these workers raises concerns. The report shows that 98.5 per cent of drivers have some kind of mental health problem, from anxiety and depression to stress and irritability. The uncertainty of their incomes, the rush to finish trips or deliveries, and the lack of say in their work schedules leave many workers feeling exhausted. Dr. Neha Khanna, an expert on mental health, stresses how serious these problems are:
“A lot of these gig workers deal with ongoing stress because they can’t predict what they’ll earn, and they are always under pressure to hit the targets set by the apps. Not being able to control when they work or how much they make leaves them anxious and depressed. Being worn out often makes these mental health problems worse, since most workers can’t afford good healthcare or take enough breaks.”
The report also sheds light on how little sleep workers get. About 79.4 per cent of those surveyed said that they slept for 5-7 hours, while 12 per cent managed just under 4 hours. Not getting enough sleep, along with physical health issues and stress, is tough on these workers.
Advocacy groups and the push to regulate
In response to the problems that gig workers face, many labour advocacy groups have popped up to fight for their rights. About 36.6 per cent of drivers said that they were part of a union or group effort to improve working conditions. Even though not many drivers join unions, these groups play a key role in pushing for better pay, work environments, and transparency.
Advocacy groups have zeroed in on the gig economy’s lack of rules as a key issue. The Social Security Code of 2020 was meant to safeguard gig workers, but it hasn’t been put into action well, and few people know about it. Most workers don’t know their rights under this law, and there’s not much enforcement. This puts gig workers at risk of being taken advantage of by companies that often skip out on paying benefits.
Rakesh Kumar, an expert on labour laws, spells out the challenges in making rules:
“India’s gig economy is growing, but big gaps exist in the rules. The Social Security Code includes gig workers but putting it into action remains tough. Most workers don’t even know their rights, and companies often find ways around paying benefits. The government needs to make sure that these workers get healthcare, pensions, and fair pay.”
Groups fighting for workers’ rights keep asking for stronger rules to protect gig workers from unfair pay cuts, lack of benefits, and unpredictable earnings. Some groups are pushing for better pay guarantees, more transparency in how pay is figured out, and full health benefits for app workers. But change is slow, and many workers still have to band together to push for improvements.
Policy recommendations
The report’s findings show that we need to change the rules fast to make app-based workers’ lives better. Workers want to know how much they’ll earn, and they want this info to be clear and easy to get. They also want to understand why they get less money sometimes. Sunny Sahani says that when workers don’t know these things, they feel stuck.
Additionally, more and more workers want help with their mental health and companies and rule-makers need to do something about this. They could offer counselling or just check in on the workers now and then. This will boost the worker’s happiness quotient with their jobs.
Another key area that needs change is how commissions work. Workers say that companies grab big chunks of their money through commissions, leaving them with scraps. Rajeev Sharma points out that many workers get upset when they see cuts that they can’t explain.
Giving more power to groups that speak up for workers and promulgating laws that let them bargain together will be helpful to them. Making these groups stronger and ensuring that they have a say in making the rules will also help to shine a light on the needs of gig workers.
What’s next for India’s gig workers
The app-based gig economy in India has changed urban jobs, but these workers are facing the tough realities of long hours, low pay, health issues, and no legal protection. The ‘Working and Living Conditions of App-Based Workers in India’ report exposes the unfairness built into this system.
Ravi Kumar and Rakesh Mehra’s daily struggles show that these workers don’t enjoy the freedom or flexibility that gig platforms promise. Instead, they’re stuck in a loop of financial anxiety and physical tiredness. Better rules pushed by stronger support and government action, are key to giving these workers the respect and fairness that they deserve.
The gig economy’s future in India hinges on more than just how well companies like Uber, Ola, Swiggy, and Zomato do. It also depends on how the workers who make these services possible are treated. We need to acknowledge what they bring to the table and start making changes to create a system that’s fairer and more balanced, giving everyone a chance to benefit.
