Nationwide Digital Strike This Deepavali Organised By women Gig workers

Context

On Diwali, women gig workers across India, led by the Gig and Platform Services Workers Union (GIPSWU), organised a digital strike labelled as “Black Diwali.”

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• The strike called attention to exploitative labour practices in the gig economy, particularly targeting the conditions faced by women gig workers.
• GIPSWU is India’s first union primarily dedicated to women gig workers, aiming to unify gig workers and customers against the unfair practices of platform companies.

• Demands of the Strikers
• The union’s demands include:
• Recognition of gig workers as employees of platform companies.
• Implementation of statutory minimum wages.
• Establishment of grievance redressal mechanisms for workers.
• Inclusion in social security schemes, such as provident funds, pension schemes, and maternity benefits.
• Exploitation in the Gig Economy
• Gig workers highlighted that discounts offered by platform companies during festive seasons often come at the expense of their wages, resulting from exploitative working conditions.
  • Many gig workers reported earning as little as ₹100-150 per day, struggling with expenses like transportation and service products.
• The digital gig economy mirrors traditional patriarchy by exploiting women’s labour under the guise of empowerment.
  • Digital platforms assign jobs like beauticians, cooks, and housekeepers, roles traditionally designated to women, reinforcing age-old gender roles.
• Job security for women hinges on acceptance of “auto-assigned” jobs and ratings.
  • Refusal to accept these often exploitative terms leads to the risk of being “illegally terminated.”
• Women gig workers often face additional challenges, including harassment and violence while working in private residences.
  • The making campaigns like “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao” feel contradictory when so many women gig workers struggle under exploitative conditions.
• Despite promises of flexible hours, women gig workers face pressure to meet unrealistic targets.
  • The gig platforms’ “freedom” narrative masks a system that imposes heavy financial burdens such as transportation costs, platform fees, and the need to buy service supplies.
• Many women lack basic social security, such as health benefits and minimum wage protections, leading to economic insecurity despite working long hours.
• Key Takeaways and Call to Action
• Worker Rights as a Form of Nation-Building: The gig workers contribute significantly to India’s economy, and their exploitation undermines national progress.
• Advocating for Legislative Change: GIPSWU urges a shift from symbolic social security measures toward substantial legal protections for gig workers.
• Message of Unity: The article concludes by affirming the importance of organized, grassroots movements, and calls for continued solidarity among gig workers worldwide to bring lasting change in labour laws and practices.

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