Name: Sulakshna Dwivedi, Dharmpal Deepak
Country: India

Year: 2024
Volume: Volume-11, Issue-2 (July-December)
Page Number: 27-35

The gig economy is rapidly expanding globally, including in India, where gig workers represent a growing share of the workforce. However, existing labor laws and social security frameworks are primarily designed for full-time employees, leaving gig workers excluded from essential benefits such as health insurance, pensions, paid leave, and unemployment protection. This exclusion increases their financial vulnerability and exposes them to heightened health and safety risks.
This paper critically examines the gaps in India's social security system for gig workers, analyzing the challenges they face in accessing benefits and proposing policy solutions to address these shortcomings. Through a comprehensive review of global and local literature, the study identifies key issues, including the exclusion of gig workers from traditional social protection systems, the inadequacy of existing policy frameworks, and the prevalence of financial and psychosocial vulnerabilities. The analysis highlights global best practices, such as portable and contributory benefit models, and evaluates their applicability to the Indian context.
The study emphasizes the need for legal reforms that recognize the hybrid nature of gig work, public-private partnerships to fund social security schemes, and robust enforcement mechanisms to ensure accessibility and equity. It also underscores the importance of worker awareness, intersectional analysis, and sector-specific solutions to address the diverse needs of gig workers. By proposing a roadmap for comprehensive reforms, this paper aims to contribute to the development of a sustainable social security system that ensures the welfare of gig workers while preserving the flexibility inherent in gig work.