India's platform workers lack adequate safety nets, insurance coverage

A comprehensive survey of 1,000 platform workers across India has highlighted critical deficiencies in occupational safety and social protection, exposing millions of gig economy workers to preventable risks. The study found widespread gaps in insurance coverage and safety training programs, leaving workers largely unprotected against the hazards inherent in their professions.

The survey identified multiple occupational risks facing platform workers, including exposure to extreme heat, road accidents, and prolonged working hours that extend far beyond standard employment norms. Many workers reported lacking access to basic safety equipment or training, while insurance schemes remain inadequate or inaccessible to a significant portion of the gig workforce.

The findings underscore a growing concern about the employment conditions in India's rapidly expanding gig economy, which has become a primary source of income for millions. Platform workers, who lack the traditional employment relationship with a single employer, face substantial barriers in accessing statutory protections and social security benefits available to formally employed workers.

The research comes as India's platform-based workforce continues to expand across sectors including ride-sharing, food delivery, and freelance services. Experts argue that existing labor frameworks have failed to adequately address the unique vulnerabilities of these workers, necessitating targeted policy interventions to ensure adequate insurance, safety standards, and working hour regulations.