UNDERSTANDING THE FUNDAMENTALS AND DYNAMICS OF THE GIG EMPLOYMENT LANDSCAPE IN INDIA

The Gig Economy in India has emerged as a significant force in reshaping the traditional employment landscape, and offering unique opportunities for workers seeking flexible work arrangements. This article explores the dynamic and evolving nature of the gig economy in India and its impact on gig workers. The first part of the article introduces the historical and analytical concept of the terms gig economy, gig workers, platform workers and app-based workers. the author uses various illustrations to coin the terms and differentiate between them legally and technically.The second part of the paper revolves around certain challenges for gig workers in India because of the absence of formal employment relationship and categorisation as independent workers. This part raises arguments of social security under the Indian legal system. The arguments are substantiated around denial of essential benefits, social protections, and job security and other raising concerns for gig workers about their constitutional labour and economic rights.In the last part the author argues around the position of unorganised workers before and after Social Security Code 2021 and gives an in-depth analysis of the changes in legal regime and status of gig workers in the last one decade. Overall, the article sheds light on the complexities of the gig economy in India.