Can gig workers be included in India’s labour data?
Exploring the status of gig workers in labor statistics.
- Gig workers in India, such as those working for ride-hailing, food delivery, and freelance platforms, are largely outside the purview of traditional labour statistics.
- Current labour surveys like the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) mainly focus on formal and informal employees but often miss platform-based gig workers due to classification challenges.
- Including gig workers in labour data is essential for accurate employment measurement and policy formulation, as their numbers are rapidly increasing.
- Efforts are underway, such as recommendations by NITI Aayog and the Code on Social Security, 2020, to recognize and register gig workers.
- Challenges include defining gig work, ensuring data collection mechanisms, and the dynamic nature of gig employment.
- Inclusion of gig workers will improve social security coverage, labour rights, and economic planning.
Answered
19 hours ago