Pintu Babu, Innovation & Knowledge Associate, PSL Advocates & Solicitors
Ayushman Patnaik, 3rd Year at Department of Law, Maharaja Agrasen Institute of Management Studies
Pushkar Deo, 4th Year at UPES Dehradun
ABSTRACT
The emergence of the online platform industry, supported by the adoption of modern digital tools and internet has led to India's phenomenal expansion in the online food delivery business. Recently, this industry has seen the development of new companies like Swiggy and Uber Eats, as well as evidenced that older players such as Zomato adjusting their business strategies to match with the industry’s needs. The development of service providers like Uber and Ola for taxis, and Swiggy and Zomato for food delivery services, has revolutionised the digital spree that India has entered in recent years. Although the food delivery platforms have created significant new job possibilities and extended the client base for established restaurants and cafes, but it should not lose the sight that the delivery executives who work for them are facing noteworthy problems concerning their work status and engagement with their respective companies. The term Gig Workers is interpreted as a term to characterise hundreds and thousands of individuals that work for such companies as a Platform Worker on a day-to-day basis, sometimes up to 12 hours a day, throughout 7 days a week to earn their share of living. Food delivery platforms have adopted technological solutions which have undoubtedly enhanced the customer experience. However, this has occurred in an unorganized system in which workers are completely at the discretion of these platforms to earn their basis livelihood. This article is a humble attempt to understand the position of gig workers under the applicable Indian laws and a way forward how this space can be regulated to the benefit of food delivery agents, restaurant owners and general public.
Keywords: Platform Workers, Gig Economy, Code on Social Security 2020, Working Conditions, Online Food Delivery
