Abstract

India based gig economy has also expanded a lot as a result of digitization and flexible employment models. Ride hailing drivers, food delivery agents, and freelance workers on whom the Gig Economy relying heavily are not included in all the labor welfare schemes that have been applicable to organized employee workers. Women labour force exclusion culminates in this section where they are left with other problems such as; income insecurity, employment insecurity and inadequate access to social security measures namely health insurance. This paper will therefore involve a critical evaluation of the current labor welfare Law in India focusing on their inefficiency in addressing gig employees’ demands. It shows how these frameworks that have worked in the paradigm of employment with long-term, stable, and formal jobs fail to address gig work that is characterised by short-term, project-based engagements. The evaluation also involves other socio-economic factors that force people into gig employment and that exposes gig employees to certain risks. From the findings of the study, the following policy recommendations are provided in an effort to help the gig workers join the labor welfare system. These recommendations stress such pillars as targeted social security measures, effective cooperation of digital platforms, policymakers and other relevant stakeholders and the need to expand the legal framework that should address the specificity of platform gig economy workers and their liabilities. It is therefore important that a fair and more inclusive regulator be supported in favor of labor welfare in order to ensure stability of gig economy in India in the future.

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