Addressing Policy Gaps for Gig Workers in India: A Focus on Food Delivery Platforms

The gig economy has experienced rapid global growth, with India playing a significant role in this digital transformation. However, gig workers, particularly those in the food delivery sector, face substantial obstacles in accessing social security benefits and labour rights. A comprehensive study conducted in Delhi, employing a mixed-methods approach, revealed alarming gaps in social security registration, with only 1.14% of total registrations coming from the capital city and food delivery partners accounting for a mere 0.13% of total registrations nationwide. This data highlights the urgent need for innovative solutions to improve social security coverage for gig workers. In response, this paper proposes the Gig-Unique Account Number (G-UAN), a technology-driven solution that streamlines registration and tailors benefits based on individual performance, as reflected by the GScore. This approach aims to optimize benefit distribution, ensuring fair and efficient support for gig workers. To address the evolving challenges in the gig economy, policy recommendations emphasize the importance of data-driven decision-making, collaborative stakeholder engagement, and targeted interventions. By harnessing technology and stakeholder collaboration, policymakers can enhance gig workers' financial security and create a more inclusive and sustainable platform economy. The research methodology employed face-to-face surveys and semi-structured interviews to gather quantitative and qualitative data on the challenges faced by food delivery partners in Delhi, providing a comprehensive understanding of the issues and informing effective solutions.