INTRODUCTION:

The gig economy is a rapidly growing industry that offers workers in a variety of industries flexibility and autonomy, representing a paradigm shift in traditional employment arrangements. Notwithstanding its advantages, the industry's explosive expansion, especially in metropolitan India, has brought to light serious regulatory shortcomings, particularly with regard to the defense of gig workers' fundamental rights. In order to ensure fair labor practices and protect workers' rights, the informal character of gig work, which is mediated through digital platforms, presents special obstacles. Due to their rapid employment changes and lack of real legal protection, gig workers are increasingly being questioned about their access to basic utilities, which may often be very difficult for them. While introducing the concept of gig work, its pertinent to discuss what is the traditional notion of work and how gig work differs from the traditional work.

LITERATURE REVIEW:

Colbert et al.(2016) defined work narrowly by traditional perspectives, such as as transactional and functional, framed in terms of a predetermined workplace. In fact, during the 19th and 20th centuries, these conventional viewpoints on work have dominated the research conversation on the subject. For instance, more than ten years ago, Deranty (2009, p. 70) contended that "the definition of work remains a serious theoretical problem," while Dejours (2007, p. 72) claimed that "there is no such thing as purely mechanical work." "Yet the topic of work has received only minor attention in leading theories of justice and human rights," agrees Veltman (2016)."The industrial legacy of the centrality of production and work in social and self-formation hovers precipitously with the post-industrial condition in which work is declining in social primacy," according to Casey's (1995) widely recognized study. This is still the case (Casey, 2013). Because of the drastic changes in technology, knowledge systems, human mobility, and production systems, it seems that the stark balance between research guided by such industrial era "thin definitions" associated with economic perspectives fails to capture the context of significant societal changes. Three generations—the senior generation, generation X, and generation Y—have different choices for careers, rewards, and work engagement.

Work in Gig economy: Profilling of worker:

In a gig economy, which is a free market system, businesses frequently use independent contractors for brief assignments. A "gig" is a colloquial phrase for an employment that lasts for a set amount of time. Historically, musicians have used the phrase to describe a performance engagement. Freelancers, independent contractors, project-based workers, and temporary or part-time employees are a few types of gig workers. Digital technology and gig apps are frequently utilized to link gig workers with clients.

Gig labor includes a variety of jobs, such as food delivery, ride-sharing, freelancing, tutoring, and virtual assistant work. Abdelbaset Ramadan Queiri, etal.(2014) through his study suggests that standard motivational approaches are ineffective for competitive millenials with unrealistic expectations.

The paper proposes a Gain Sharing technique that can be utilized to satisfy the desires of the keep millenials performing. The lack of a set or permanent workplace is the most unusual feature of gig labor. Work from home trends are evident. Gig workers are typified by their independence and flexibility as independent contractors, frequently working on short-term projects or "gigs" via online platforms, and having the freedom to choose their own hours. However, because gigs are temporary, they frequently lack traditional employment benefits like health insurance or paid time off, and they may experience job instability. Gig workers usually work on project-based, short-term projects that last anything from a few hours to several weeks or months. Additionally, gig workers frequently have the autonomy to select the projects they wish to work on. They can choose assignments that complement their abilities, passions, and objectives, which will make them feel fulfilled and satisfied with their employment. The gig economy has its own set of difficulties even if it provides unmatched flexibility. Gig workers may find it difficult to handle their money, particularly those in the e-commerce industry. Due to the nature of gig work, employees are frequently categorized as independent contractors or self-employed, which means they might not be eligible for typical employment benefits like pensions, sick pay, or holiday pay.

The gig economy gives people the chance to pursue a greater variety of interests and higher earning potential. But it also brings with it financial insecurity and income unpredictability. From a societal standpoint, the gig economy can boost economic expansion, but it can also worsen inequality and produce a hierarchy of workers with differing perks and job security.

Role of technology in emergence of gig economy:

Through the provision of tools and platforms that link employees and clients, technology has been instrumental in the expansion of the gig economy. The "digital nomad" lifestyle has grown in popularity as a result of technology's ability to enable remote work. Let's examine how an app like Ola, which offers a ride-sharing service, operates. Anyone with a smartphone and an internet connection can install the Ola app. This mobile device has a Google-powered map. Open the Ola mobile app and register. After registering, users can select from a variety of transportation options, including Ola Micro, Ola Mini, and Ola Share, according on their requirements and preferences, as well as enter their pickup and drop-off locations. Ola's technological platform matches consumers with available drivers in their area based on real-time data. Customers can access facts about the designated driver through the app, such as the driver's name, photo, car information, and anticipated time of arrival. As the driver travels to the pickup site, customers can also follow their location in real time. Customers have a variety of options for paying for their journey once the ride is over, including cash, digital wallets, and credit/debit cards. Ola's user-friendly and safe payment method guarantees a smooth transaction for both drivers and passengers.

This merely serves to illustrate how technology, including algorithms, maps, the internet, and online cashless secure payment systems, creates working conditions that make gig employment possible. This could be in the delivery of food, goods, etc. To satisfy these new demands of the workforce, tech-driven platforms have taken over. They provide easy-to-use tools for instantly matching companies with available workers.

The main ways that technology is influencing the gig economy are by streamlining the recruiting and recruitment process, automating administrative work, and creating a transparent experience for both clients and service provider agents.

Major Drawbacks (Job Insecurity, Lack of Protections/benefits, Inconsistent Work, Etc.):

Some incentive schemes, according to critics, may be created with the intention of taking advantage of employees by imposing unreasonably high workloads or performance standards in an effort to obtain bonuses or prizes. Additionally, incentive-based approaches can make the gig economy's fundamental lack of job security worse by making workers feel under pressure to take on more work or accept unfavorable terms in order to keep their income. Furthermore, employees may find it difficult to completely understand the terms and circumstances of incentive programs due to their complexity and possible lack of transparency, which can lead to anger or mistrust.

The main disadvantage of the majority of gig jobs is that your pay is determined by the project or task you are engaged for. As a taxi driver, for instance, you are only paid for each ride you complete, so if no one takes a cab on a given day, you won't make any money. Although the independence and flexibility of their work may seem quite appealing, the truth is somewhat different. Their working circumstances are difficult and unhealthy due to their nature and unpredictability.

The difficulties, financial concerns, and health problems that these workers face are highlighted in a paper by PAIGAM titled "Working and Living Conditions of App-Based Workers in India," which is supported by extensive research. "More than 83 percent of drivers work more than 10 hours a day, nearly 60 percent work more than 12 hours, and a disturbing 31 percent work more than 14 hours a day," according to one of its reports. Despite a gig economy that is expected to grow quickly, with an estimated 7.7 million gig workers in 2020 and 23.5 million by 2029–2030, they lack many standard employment advantages including social insurance, paid leave, and minimum salary guarantees, according to NITI Aayog.

CONCLUSION:

Joshua Healy etal. (2017) in their study indicates that the gig economy has quickly become a service delivery paradigm that upends established labor management procedures, corporate models, and laws. In particular, the manner in which platform firms deal with employees has led to a growing public interest, but has not yet produced an academic literature that reflects it.

Policymakers, businesses, and employees must have open discussions and consultations as the gig economy develops in order to address the issues and concerns around incentive-based essentials. It will be crucial to strike the correct balance between providing fair and equal working conditions and rewarding performance. The future of employment in India is being shaped by the informal sector, and incentive-based necessities offer both opportunities and difficulties to the labor force in the country.

Although there is hope for higher incomes and motivation, issues with exploitation, job security, and transparency need to be resolved with thorough regulations and candid discussions. India can set the stage for a prosperous and just gig economy by encouraging a cooperative strategy that strikes a balance between the interests of workers, businesses, and the whole economy. This would allow India to leverage the potential of incentives while preserving the rights and welfare of its workers.

REFERENCES:

1. Sahoo, D., Singh, S. K., and Das, B. Gig Economy in India: Opportunities and Challenges. International Journal of Management, Technology, and Social Sciences. 2020; 5(1): 1-10

2. McKinsey Global Institute. India's ascent: Five opportunities for growth and transformation.2016.

3. International Labour Organization. India Employment Trends 2018: India's Employment and Labour Market Integration into Global Production Networks. 2018

4. Taylor, K., Van Dijk, P., Newnam, S., and Sheppard, D. Physical and psychological hazards in the gig economy system: A systematic review. Safety Science. 2023; 166: 106234. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2023.106234

5. The rise of gig workers is changing the face of the US economy. (2023, July 25). CNN Business. Retrieved August 17, 2024, from https://edition.cnn.com/2023/07/24/economy/gig-workers-economy-impact-explained/index.html

6. The Role of Technology in the Gig Economy. Association for Entrepreneurship USA. https://afeusa.org/articles/the-role-of-technology-in-the-gig-economy-2/

7. Tripathi, M. A., and Tripathi, R. (). Why Gig Economy is growing: an Investigation through Technology Index Approach. In Indian Journal of Economics and Business. 2020; 1(1). http://www.ashwinanokha.com/resources/v19-1-10-Tripathi.pdf

8. Vallas, S., and Schor, J. B. What Do Platforms Do? Understanding the Gig Economy. Annual Review of Sociology. 2020; 46(1): 273–294. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-soc-121919-054857

9. Wadhawan, K., and Dimple. Harnessing the Technical Potential of AI, IT and Data Management For Unlocking India’s Economic Success. 2024

10. Woodcock, J. (2021, May 17). Technology, Labor, and the Gig Economy. Jamie Woodcock.

11. ILO (2018) Digital Labour Platforms and the Future of Work, Geneva: ILO.

Received on 27.01.2025 Revised on 15.02.2025

Accepted on 01.03.2025 Published on 02.06.2025

Available online from June 05, 2025

Res. J. of Humanities and Social Sciences. 2025;16(2):145-147.

DOI: 10.52711/2321-5828.2025.00026

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Creative Commons License.