The nature of work across the world was once very different, but it has been evolving steadily with time. The work-from-home experiments during the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated how flexible work models can deliver meaningful results. In recent times, another term has gained prominence—gig worker or gig employee. This concept is now widely discussed not only at the global level but also across India.
In a significant move, the government has scrapped the rule that required food and grocery delivery app companies to complete deliveries within 10 minutes, bringing major relief to gig workers. For a long time, this deadline had caused stress and safety concerns, forcing delivery personnel to ride two-wheelers at dangerously high speeds. With the rule removed, the fear of accidents, as well as salary and incentive cuts, has eased.
Gig workers have welcomed the decision, saying that the 10-minute delivery target created immense pressure and often resulted in road accidents. The change will allow them to work in a safer and more relaxed manner. On December 31, 2025, gig workers had staged a strike to press for multiple demands, chief among them being the removal of the 10-minute delivery mandate. They also sought higher wages and better incentives. According to workers, this decision will enhance their safety and improve overall work quality.
A gig worker is someone who works on a project-to-project basis or as a freelancer. Such workers are usually self-employed and operate independently, often through digital platforms that connect them with customers. Gig workers are also commonly known as independent contractors or freelancers. Unlike temporary employees, they are not hired for a fixed tenure and are not considered formal employees of the companies they serve. As businesses increasingly adopt on-demand, gig-based models, the number of gig workers continues to grow rapidly, particularly in sectors like transportation, food delivery, and home services.
Gig workers differ from traditional employees in several ways. First, gig workers are not bound by traditional employment agreements. This means they can work for multiple employers simultaneously and are not limited to just one company. Furthermore, gig workers typically work on a project basis, meaning they are paid upon completion of each project rather than receiving a regular salary. This arrangement provides gig workers with considerable flexibility in terms of working hours and location. Another significant difference between gig workers and traditional employees is that gig workers do not receive the same benefits as employees. These include health insurance, paid leave, and retirement savings plans. Gig workers also do not receive the same protections as employees, such as unemployment insurance or workers’ compensation. The problems faced by gig workers were first brought to light by Congress MP Rahul Gandhi. Rahul Gandhi personally spoke to several workers and understood their struggles.
Aam Aadmi Party MP Raghav Chadha also supported this view, stating that when “10 minutes” is written on the delivery partners’ uniforms or bags and a timer runs on the customer’s screen, it creates real and dangerous mental stress on the riders. According to them, this government intervention will improve the safety and dignity of gig workers. The withdrawal of the “10-minute” delivery claim by quick commerce companies is a significant turning point in balancing “speed versus safety” in this sector. According to Raghav Chadha, this decision was necessary not only for the riders but also for the safety of everyone on the roads. Although companies will still strive for fast deliveries, removing this time limit from official branding is considered a major step towards worker welfare. The government has now released a draft of new social security rules for gig workers. Public suggestions have been invited on these rules. According to the draft prepared by the government, if a gig worker works for at least 90 days in a financial year with a single app or company (aggregator), they will be eligible for social security benefits. These benefits include health insurance, life insurance, and accident cover. Under the draft, if a worker works on multiple apps (such as Zomato + Swiggy + Uber), they will need to complete a total of 120 days of work. The days will be counted separately for each platform. For example, if someone works on three different apps on the same day, it will be counted as three days. The work count will begin from the day the worker first earned money from that platform, regardless of the amount earned; there is no minimum earning limit. All gig workers above the age of 16 will have to register and link their accounts with Aadhaar. Every aggregator will have to provide details of their workers to the central government portal, which will generate a Universal Account Number. After registration, every eligible worker will be given a digital or physical ID card. Millions of gig workers are employed across the country, but a large majority of them do not have access to social security benefits, nor are they receiving fair wages from the companies.
According to a 2022 report by NITI Aayog, India had approximately 7.7 million gig workers in 2020, a number projected to increase to 23.5 million by 2030. The participation of young people (aged 16 to 23) in the gig economy increased eightfold between 2019 and 2022. In the current consumer-driven era, the demand for timely services is growing, and companies worldwide are competing to provide the best possible services to attract and retain customers and maximize profits. It is a well-established fact that in a market economy, the consumer is the biggest beneficiary of competition. However, unfortunately, while enjoying these conveniences, people, especially in developing countries like India, often forget that the workers providing these quick services are also a part of the same society. Numerous reports have highlighted instances where delivery partners have faced abuse from customers due to their religion, caste, or race. With limited job opportunities in the public sector and a growing number of job seekers, it is crucial that the government addresses the needs of the unorganized sector, as this sector provides the most employment in the country. Flexibility and speed are important in the gig economy, but the Indian government must now take stronger steps to strike a balance between speed and security to ensure the welfare and safety of these workers, so that gig workers can become part of an inclusive and secure workforce.
