Gig economy: The plight of delivery workers

Punjab launches drive to register gig workers for Ayushman scheme

For the first time, gig workers will be formally registered through the e-Shram portal, which is the National Database of Unorganised Workers (NDUW); once registered, these workers will be eligible for various welfare benefits, including health insurance and a ₹2 lakh ex gratia payment in case of accidental death

Gig economy: The plight of delivery workers

From food delivery and ride-hailing apps to handywork and domestic services, millions of people around the globe work within the so-called gig economy – a term applied to independent contractors or freelancers, usually on digital apps. While the flexibility offered by online gig platforms can be attractive, it comes at the cost of limited job security, lack of social protection and sometimes exploitation. But gig workers are getting organised wi…

Karnataka Approves Gig Workers Welfare Bill, Plans 1–5% Cess On Apps Like Amazon, Uber

Karnataka cabinet on April 11 approved the Platform Based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Bill, aiming to provide social security benefits for gig economy workers across the state. The bill proposes a cess of 1–5% on major digital aggregator platforms like Amazon, Flipkart, Ola, and Uber to build a dedicated welfare fund. Ordinance to Enforce Bill Soon The state government plans to use the ordinance route to implement the bill. Karnata…

AI-Driven Micro-Gig Economies in Knowledge Work

The world of knowledge work is changing as AI-driven micro-gig economies develop. This model divides complex projects into very small, on-demand tasks completed by scattered freelancers or crowdworkers through online platforms.  Millions worldwide now earn income via these micro-gigs, drawn by flexibility and enabled by technology. Over 70 million Americans freelanced in 2025, and projections indicate more than half the US workforce might engage…