Report bares gig workers' woes

Long work hours, low earnings, high physical and mental stress plaguing workers, finds survey across eight cities

- SHIVA RAJORA

Long working hours, earnings that fall short of meeting household expenses, arbitrary deactivation and blocking of identity (ID) by platforms, and high physical and mental stress are among the major issues plaguing workers of the booming gig economy in India, a report based on a survey has found.

Nearly 83 per cent cab drivers reported working for more than 10 hours in a day, while 78 per cent delivery personnel worked for the same duration, showed the report released on Monday, titled "Prisoners on Wheels" and based on a survey by the University of Pennsylvania and the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT).

Besides, 43 per cent cab drivers reported a net monthly earning (that is after deducting costs such as food, fuel, vehicle maintenance and easy monthly instalments) of below ₹15,000, while 34 per cent delivery persons reported a net monthly earning of 10,000. This led to difficulty in managing household expenses, as experienced by over 70 per cent cab drivers and delivery persons reported.