RIGHTS OF GIG – PLATFORM WORKERS AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

With the global growth of gig platforms, a non-standard form of employment has now emerged. The traditional employer-employee relationship and its permanence are absent. This economy has created a new form of workers. They are considered freelance workers who work as and when the demand arises from the consumers. The essential aspect of this economy is the work on digital platforms. In gig work, the consumers would demand labour digitally through apps.

These digital platforms would create millions of jobs around the world. Recently, in June 2022, the NITI AYOG released its latest report, ‘India’s Booming Gig and Platform Economy – Perspectives and Recommendations of the Future of Work’ – which exhibited a detailed analysis of the economy’s growing significance in India. Further, the report has outlined the road map to achieve especially 8th Goal of SDG for Decent work and Employment Growth to all. Though India has interfaced with gig–platform work to boost the economy with greater fervour during the Corona period, yet, the policy and legislations are at an infant stage and yet to be formulated and finalized.

Meanwhile, the age-old labour legislations are undergoing a sea change in the name of simplifying them. The new codes on Wages, Industrial Relations, Social Security, and Occupational Safety and Health have yet to be appropriately enacted, and rules need to be established by the Central and State governments for the protection of the rights of employees.

Ultimately, the goal is to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, by the UN and the ILO for better and sustainable legislations pertaining to labour law. India has already outlined the road map to the 8^th Goal of SDG. The SDGs do matter in developing sustainable communities when focused on their achievement in India. We are at the earliest stage towards making in policy for gig/platform workers as they are going to occupy the Indian economy at a greater level.