Beyond 9-5 job: The rise of part-time bike taxi drivers

Rising inflation and stagnant wages are forcing salaried workers into the gig, before and after office hours

- MD KAIFEE ALAM

Rakesh Kumar, 32, works as a sales executive with a Gurugram-based firm between 10 am and 6 pm. His office job pays a modest salary that once covered rent, EMI, and essentials. However, over the last couple of years, that balance has tipped. So, to make ends meet, Kumar has taken to moonlighting — as a bike taxi driver.

"Before heading to the office, I complete at least five or six rides," he says. "In the evening, I ride again for two to three hours." He uses both Ola and Uber to get rides. "I earn ₹200-300 every day from the rides. This extra income helps me manage my daily expenses," he adds.

Kumar says he had never imagined himself doing this, but desperation has put him on the road.

He's not the only one pushing himself at the risk of burnout to get by. Rising inflation and stagnant wages are forcing a number of salaried professionals to venture into bike taxi service as part-time riders.

An analysis of the earnings data for salaried workers, casual labourers, and self-employed persons from the Periodic Labour Force Survey shows that when adjusted for inflation, the wages for salaried workers in India have stagnated since 2019. Real wages are the income a worker earns after it is adjusted for inflation. It reflects the actual purchasing power of society.