The Gig Economy in India
What the Gig Economy Is
Gig work is short-term, task-based work often arranged through apps, such as delivery, ride-hailing and home services.
The gig economy describes work done task by task rather than through a permanent job. Many gigs are arranged through digital platforms.
Examples
Food delivery riders, cab drivers on ride apps, home-service professionals and freelance designers or writers all do gig work.
Platform versus freelance
On a platform, an app matches workers and customers and takes a commission. Freelancers may find clients directly.
Why it grew
Smartphones, cheap data and digital payments made it easy to match customers with workers in minutes.
A customer orders dinner on an app, a nearby rider accepts the task and earns a fee per delivery.
Designers, coders and consultants also work as gig workers.
- Gig work is task-based.
- Apps match workers and customers.
- Platforms charge commissions.
- It includes both low- and high-skill work.
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