The latest ‘Fairwork India 2023’ report, undertaken in partnership between the Centre for IT and Public Policy (CITAPP) at the International Institute of Information Technology Bangalore (IIIT-B) and Oxford University, reveals that Ola, Uber, Porter, and Dunzo are positioned at the bottom among digital gig work platforms in India. In the assessment using a 1-10 scale, Ola and Porter scored zero, while Uber and Dunzo achieved only one point.
Analysis of Gig Work Platforms in India – A Comprehensive Evaluation of Fair Labor Practices
The report assessed a total of 12 digital platforms, including Amazon Flex, BigBasket, BluSmart, Flipkart, Swiggy, Urban Company, Zepto, and Zomato, using five key criteria: Fair Pay, Fair Conditions, Fair Contracts, Fair Management, and Fair Representation. Notably, none of the platforms achieved a score exceeding six out of ten, and none managed to fulfill all five principles.
Of these platforms, BigBasket, Flipkart, and Urban Company stand out as the only ones implementing a minimum wage policy to ensure gig workers earn at least the local minimum wage after accounting for expenses like fuel, vehicle maintenance, insurance, and data costs.
BluSmart, a relatively new entrant in the ride-hailing platform sector, surprisingly outperformed more established platforms, earning a score of 5 out of 10, raising optimism that their operational model could lead to better working conditions for drivers in the gig economy.
None of the platforms met the criteria for Fair Pay, which requires platforms to demonstrate that their workers earn a local living wage after deducting work-related expenses. Only seven out of the 12 platforms ensured ‘Fair Contracts,’ guaranteeing the accessibility and clarity of their contracts.
Worker Safety, Insurance, and Regulation: An In-Depth Look at India’s Gig Economy Landscape
Regarding worker safety and insurance coverage, nine platforms, including Amazon Flex, BigBasket, BluSmart, Flipkart, Swiggy, Uber, Urban Company, Zepto, and Zomato, mitigated task-specific risks by providing safety equipment and periodic training. However, only BigBasket, Swiggy, Urban Company, Zepto, and Zomato offered accident insurance coverage at no extra cost and compensated workers for income loss due to non-accident-related medical issues.The report coincides with growing protests by gig workers in various parts of the country and an evolving regulatory landscape. The state of Rajasthan, for example, recently passed the Rajasthan Platform Based Gig Workers (Registration and Welfare) Act, 2023, becoming the first Indian state to enact legislation aimed at regulating and providing social security for platform-based gig workers.
Despite numerous workers’ protests and legislative changes, the report notes that none of the 12 platforms provided sufficient evidence of Fair Representation, and they have been reluctant to acknowledge or negotiate with workers’ collectives.
Finally, Amazon Flex, BigBasket, BluSmart, Flipkart, Swiggy, and Zomato were recognized for their adherence to the first point of the Fair Management principle, ensuring due process and channels for workers to appeal disciplinary actions. BluSmart and Swiggy further stood out by instituting regular external audits to prevent biases in their work allocation systems and adopting policies against discrimination of platform workers.
