Paytm Founder Calls Digital Services Members “Colleagues” Not “Gig Workers”

In a recent social media post, Paytm founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma expressed his preference for using the term "Indian Digital Services members" instead of "gig workers" to describe individuals who engage in independent, temporary, online, or part-time work at his company.

Paytm founder lauds members of Indian Digital Services

Vijay Shekhar Sharma expressed his admiration for the members of Indian Digital Services who work tirelessly and take pride in their contributions.  

“Proud of every member of Indian Digital Services, who works relentlessly and takes pride in their work. (Yes, I prefer to call them members of Indian Digital Services instead of gig workers),” the Paytm founder said. 

Shekhar shared a video of an Uber driver who makes Rs 80-85,000 monthly by riding Uber bikes 13 hours a day.

India’s new-age technology firms have sparked a revolution in job creation at scale, generating crores of well-paying jobs that fuel our local economy. These colleagues are building a digital services ecosystem that the world admires—quick deliveries, local rides, and Paytm QR at… pic.twitter.com/epR7wefu9g

— Vijay Shekhar Sharma (@vijayshekhar) December 6, 2024

“Not even companies pay this much salary,” the Uber driver was seen claiming in the video. “I work as per my wish, I am my own boss. There’s no one to tell me anything. I will now just switch the device off and call it a day.”

The Paytm boss remarked that India’s digital services ecosystem is being created by these “colleagues.” 

He concluded by saying, “Together, we’re shaping a more inclusive, innovative, and proud Digital India.”

Incidentally, labor minister Mansukh Mandaviya met with employee associations of gig and platform workers to discuss potential social security benefits, including health insurance and pensions.

A governmental scheme is expected to be rolled out by early next year. Aggregators have already been instructed to register the gig workers on the e-Shram portal so that they can generate a unique ID. 

The initiative will allow the ministry to ascertain the number of gig workers in the country providing much-needed support to individuals who do not fit into the traditional employer-employee relationship.

This initiative will help ensure the well-being and financial security of Indian Digital Services members.

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