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The Developmental Possibilities of Gig Work on Digital Platforms: The Limits to the Hope and Hype in India

Author

Listed:
  • Balaji Parthasarathy

    (International Institute of Information Technology)

  • Janaki Srinivasan

    (International Institute of Information Technology)

  • M. Bilahari

    (International Institute of Information Technology)

  • Raktima Kalita

    (International Institute of Information Technology)

  • Mounika Neerukonda

    (International Institute of Information Technology)

  • Meghashree Balaraj

    (International Institute of Information Technology)

  • Aditya Singh

    (International Institute of Information Technology)

  • Mark Graham

    (Oxford Internet Institute)

Abstract

Institutional changes that have emphasised flexible labour markets and advances in technologies, have made digital platforms commonplace. As platforms mediate an increasing number of services, the dominant work opportunity they offer is gigs to independent contractors. Thanks to a power asymmetry between gig workers and platforms, and little regulatory control over gig work, the conditions of work are largely determined by platforms. Nevertheless, there is hope vested in the developmental possibilities of the platform economy through the gradual formalisation of gig work. This paper examines the possibilities and the tensions inherent to any formalisation by drawing on evidence from India, which has a large and rapidly growing platform economy.

Suggested Citation

  • Balaji Parthasarathy & Janaki Srinivasan & M. Bilahari & Raktima Kalita & Mounika Neerukonda & Meghashree Balaraj & Aditya Singh & Mark Graham, 2025. "The Developmental Possibilities of Gig Work on Digital Platforms: The Limits to the Hope and Hype in India," The Indian Journal of Labour Economics, Springer;The Indian Society of Labour Economics (ISLE), vol. 68(2), pages 569-587, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ijlaec:v:68:y:2025:i:2:d:10.1007_s41027-024-00522-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s41027-024-00522-4
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Platform economy; Gig work; Geographically tethered labour; Formal/informal labour; Flexibility; Fairness;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J46 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - Informal Labor Market
    • J81 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Standards - - - Working Conditions
    • J82 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Standards - - - Labor Force Composition
    • K31 - Law and Economics - - Other Substantive Areas of Law - - - Labor Law
    • M54 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics - - - Labor Management
    • O17 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Formal and Informal Sectors; Shadow Economy; Institutional Arrangements

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