19 March 2025 : The Hindu Editorial Analysis
1. The dystopian side of Insta-commerce
(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 9)
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Topic: GS2 – Social Justice, GS3 – Indian Economy |
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Context |
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Daily Struggles of Urban Labourers
- In many urban centers, workers gather in the morning, waiting for employers or contractors (thekedaars) to offer them jobs.
- These workers, desperate for employment, often accept low wages as they are part of a vast unemployed workforce.
- Labourers in these markets experience a daily auction where the lowest wage wins, forcing them into financial insecurity.
Gig Economy: A Virtual Labour Market
- Digital platforms have replicated the role of middlemen by offering jobs through apps, eliminating direct human interaction.
- Gig work operates on a piece-rate model, where workers take up tasks without job security or fair wages.
- These platforms disguise their exploitation as “freedom of choice,” but in reality, workers have little bargaining power.
- Instead of physically gathering at a labour market, workers now check their phones for job opportunities, often settling for poor wages.
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What is a Gig Worker? |
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Exploitation Through Ratings and Low Wages
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- The digital system isolates workers, preventing collective bargaining for better wages and conditions.
- Workers must accept tasks under the app’s terms, with no negotiation or protection against arbitrary job loss.
- Customers see gig workers only briefly but fail to recognize their struggles, long hours, and harsh working conditions.
- Ratings have replaced fair wages, as workers must seek high ratings to maintain employment rather than demanding rights.
New Forms of Gig Exploitation: Insta Maids
- A recent service offers domestic workers for as low as ₹49 an hour, further devaluing their labour.
- This model continues to exploit desperate workers who need immediate employment but are not given dignity or fair pay.
- Workers have started protesting against this exploitation, demanding rights instead of ratings and recognition of their humanity.
Challenges in Passing Protective Laws
- In some states, workers successfully pushed for legislation to ensure:
- A social security framework.
- Access to their work data.
- A grievance redress system.
- A tripartite board for discussion.
- However, political decisions have delayed these laws, leaving workers unprotected.
- Industry groups and business associations have opposed these protections, arguing that gig workers are “partners” rather than employees.
Corporate Hypocrisy and the Need for Change
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- Business leaders publicly promote worker welfare but privately oppose legal protections.
- The promise of “financial security and dignity” is contradicted by their lobbying efforts to prevent fair wages and job security.
- Without legal protections, gig workers continue to face a modern form of exploitation.
- Bringing an end to unfair platform-based gig work is essential for ensuring justice for millions of workers.
Conclusion
- The gig economy must evolve beyond digital convenience to ensure fair wages and dignity.
- Ethical algorithms, worker protections, and legal safeguards can transform platform-based jobs into sustainable livelihoods rather than modern exploitation.
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PYQ: Examine the role of ‘Gig Economy’ in the process of empowerment of women in India. (150 words) (UPSC CSE (M) GS-1 2021) |
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Practice Question: Discuss the challenges faced by gig workers in India and evaluate the need for legislative reforms to ensure fair wages, job security, and social protection. (150 Words /10 marks) |
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