Promise and precarity

By Amit Kapoor

The gig economy is no longer a fringe, niche pocket of India’s labour market. It is steadily becoming a central force and reshaping the way people work and earn a living. The increasing modernity and ease of digital platforms are changing the nature of employment, revealing both growing opportunities and inequalities, as well as the independence and insecurity of jobs.

Over the past decade, gig and platform-based work has expanded swiftly in labour markets across developed and developing countries. From food delivery and ride-hailing to freelance consulting and care services, millions now rely on apps and algorithms for income. In the US, more than one-third of workers report expecting to rely on gig work to make ends meet. In Malaysia, approximately 70% of gig workers