Social security issues, gig workers’ demands should be considered
Social security issues, gig workers’ demands should be considered
The article highlights the harsh working conditions, lack of social security, and low wages faced by gig workers, even as the quick commerce sector continues to grow. It calls for sympathetic consideration of their demands and proper implementation of the government’s social security proposals. As the number of gig workers is expected to grow, companies and the government must take measures to prevent their exploitation and ensure adequate income.
It’s true that gig workers, the temporary workers who deliver food and other goods, have drawn national attention, but this only happened when these people, working under adverse conditions, went on strike. Gig workers’ demands should be considered sympathetically, as their working conditions are extremely harsh.
Today, as the business of quick commerce and food delivery companies continues to grow, better working conditions must be ensured for them. It is heartening that the central government has proposed social security for gig workers, but this will only be realized if the provisions of this proposal are successfully implemented. The problem facing gig workers is that they are not considered employees of the companies they work for.
Their working hours are not fixed. They are paid only for the time they work. They can be fired at any time. Because their status is similar to that of workers in the unorganized sector, their working conditions are largely ignored. If something untoward happens to them, the company involved is not held accountable. It should be understood that the gig worker-based industry is demanding better regulation.
The problems of gig workers have worsened due to the growing trend of delivering goods within ten minutes. This trend should be reconsidered, as it increases the risk of accidents involving gig workers. Gig workers are often seen violating traffic rules in their quest for quick delivery. Undoubtedly, the number of gig workers is increasing, but their wages are not attractive.
According to NITI Aayog, the number of gig workers, which was around 7.7 million in 2020-21, will increase to 23.5 million by 2029-30. In such a situation, the government, along with the companies they work for, will have to take care of them. They should not only be brought under the ambit of social security, but measures should also be taken to prevent their exploitation and enable them to earn a sufficient income for their livelihood.
Now that it’s clear that the number of gig workers will only increase in the future, it’s crucial to ensure that battery-powered two-wheelers are used for delivery. It’s also crucial to consider the interests of all other workers in the unorganized sector, along with gig workers. It’s unfair that millions of temporary workers are excluded from social security coverage.
