Survey reveals gig workers’ concerns on income security

A recent survey on gig and platform workers revealed that despite certain headway made, low base fares, and relatively lower incentives continued to remain key concerns which workers have been grappling with.

They Impact Evaluation Report 2024 report released by the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU) entailed survey data collected from workers across ride-hailing, delivery, and service platforms.

The survey found that 84.38% of respondents identified low fares as a top concern. Even as a gig workers’ bill is in the offing, the issue is a protracted problem. Gig workers are of the opinion that platforms have not been consulting them.

The way incentives are changed was cited by 34% of surveyed workers, who stated that earlier performance-based bonuses had either been scaled back drastically or discontinued altogether. This trend, according to the union, has severely impacted monthly incomes and eroded trust in platforms’ reward mechanisms.

A little over 26% of workers reported being adversely affected by companies blocking IDs. This, they claimed was done at times without offering a prior warning or seeking explanations. This drastically affects their income security.

Even as companies classify gig and platform workers as independent contractors, as many as 12.5% workers, on the other hand maintain that social security was a concern. Workers have been demanding more income security and safeguards such as access to schemes including Employees State Insurance (ESI), Provident Fund (PF), and accident coverage.

Meanwhile, concerns around dignity at work were expressed by 5.73 % of workers, especially those with years of experience on digital platforms.

Long working hours -- as much as 12 hours -- was reported by 3.65 % of workers. A lack of sufficient orders and bookings was flagged by 4.69% of those surveyed.

“This report reflects both our progress and our ongoing fight. Gig and platform workers are demanding recognition, protection, and dignity. Our work is far from over, but together we are building a stronger movement,” said Shaik Salauddin, Founder President, TGPWU.