The Hindu: Published on 3rd July 2025:
Why in News?
The topic has gained attention following the release of the 2025 Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) and the Union Budget 2025, both of which address gig workers. Despite policy efforts to include them in welfare schemes, gig workers remain statistically invisible due to lack of classification in official labour data.
Background:
The gig economy includes freelance or short-term, task-based work, often mediated through digital platforms (e.g. Swiggy, Zomato, Uber).
Gig workers were legally defined in the Code on Social Security, 2020, which recognized them separately from traditional employees.
The NITI Aayog 2022 report estimated that India’s gig workforce would reach 23.5 million by 2029-30.
Yet, India’s primary labour survey—PLFS—fails to classify or track these workers distinctly.
Key Issues:
Statistical Invisibility
Gig workers are grouped under vague categories like “self-employed” or “casual labour” in PLFS.
This undermines targeted policymaking, as schemes require accurate data for implementation and monitoring.
Mismatch in Classification:
Gig work is hybrid in nature (multiple apps, task-based, algorithm-driven).
PLFS lacks tools to capture unique aspects like:
Algorithm governance
Lack of contracts
Multiple job roles
Volatility in income
No occupational safety
Policy vs Data Disconnect:
The Union Budget 2025 proposed extending social protection to gig workers.
Schemes like e-Shram portal, Ayushman Bharat, and digital ID cards aim to recognize them.
But PLFS has not updated its questionnaire/schedule to reflect this recognition.
Impact
1- On Policy:
Welfare schemes and funding decisions depend on PLFS data.
Without proper classification, gig workers may be excluded or undercounted.
This leads to inequity in access to social security and job benefits.
2- On Workers:
Gig workers lack representation in labour metrics, despite forming a growing segment.
Their employment uncertainties remain invisible, affecting health coverage, retirement savings, insurance, and legal protection.
Suggestions / Way Forward:
1-Revise PLFS Questionnaire
Introduce clear categories for “gig” and “platform” workers.
2-Special Modules on Gig Work
Add survey modules to measure:
3-Platform dependency
Income volatility
Number of apps worked with
Nature of algorithm control
4-Collaborate with Digital Platforms
For real-time data sharing and verification.
5-Data-Driven Governance
Link PLFS with e-Shram, Aadhaar, and GST systems to triangulate employment realities.
Conclusion:
Though India recognizes gig workers in policy and law, they remain uncounted in official labour statistics. Without visibility in national datasets like PLFS, representation in policymaking is limited, risking exclusion from welfare schemes and labour protections. For true inclusion, India must reform its data frameworks in line with the changing nature of digital work.
