According to the recent Fairwork India Report 2024 for gig workers, several companies are failing to meet basic criteria for fair pay, contract transparency, and worker representation.
The report evaluated 11 platforms offering location-based services in domestic care, personal care, logistics, food delivery, and transportation.
Despite the steady rise of the gig economy, many companies are struggling to meet fair labor standards. The report identified key under-performers, including bigshot names like Amazon Flex, Flipkart, Porter, Uber, and Ola.
These companies were found to lack fair pay, contract transparency, and worker representation for gig workers.
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Tata-owned BigBasket tops Fairwork India Index
In contrast to the underperformers, Tata-owned BigBasket emerged as the top platform in this year's Fairwork India index.
However, no platform scored more than six out of the maximum 10 points, indicating that there is still room for improvement across the board.
None of the platforms managed to score all the first points across the five principles evaluated in the report.
Struggles with fair labor standards
One of the key principles evaluated in the report was fair pay. Only BigBasket and Urban Company received the first point for introducing a minimum wage policy.
This policy ensures that workers earn at least the hourly local minimum wage after deducting work-related costs. The lack of such policies on other platforms highlights the challenges faced by gig workers in terms of earning fair wages.
Lack of safety measures
Another important aspect produced in the report was the provision of adequate safety equipment and periodic safety training for workers.
Amazon Flex, BigBasket, BluSmart, Swiggy, Urban Company, Zepto, and Zomato were the only platforms awarded the first point under fair conditions for meeting these criteria.
This raises concerns about the safety and well-being of workers on underperforming platforms.
The report also revealed that no platform earned the points for recognition of gig worker collectives. It stated, "Despite many instances of workers' protests and strikes across the country, and legislative changes addressing the platform economy over the years, platforms in India refuse to formally recognize or negotiate with workers' collectives." [Source: NewsBytes]
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