Analysing the Gig Economy in India and Exploring Various Effective Regulatory Methods to Improve the Plight of the Workers

Abstract

Over the past decades, there has been a steady increase in the number of people involved in ‘flexible’ labour, more commonly known as ‘gig’ work. This has stimulated discussions over its various characteristics, including the lifestyle, mental health, fair treatment and overall well-being of gig workers. This article seeks to understand how the plight of gig workers can be reduced by effective regulation. For this, the authors identify seven characteristic features of the gig economy that harm the workers’ well-being. Then, the authors explain mechanisms in which the plight of these workers resulting from these seven factors can be reduced through efficient regulation. For this, the authors incorporate particular suggestions offered by some scholars outside India and modify them to suit the Indian context better. The authors also forward novel methods to regulate the gig economy. This article first defines and describes the gig economy. After that, it discusses various aspects like the quality of life, position of women and workplace dynamics of the gig economy. Then, this article recommends seven ways in which the sufferings of the workers can be reduced, and the gig economy can be better regulated in India.