On June 12 the International Labour Conference in Geneva adopted Convention No. 193 on decent work in the platform economy. India abstained while 406 delegates voted in favour.
The Convention sets minimum rights for platform workers including fair pay, timely payment, occupational safety and social security. It also requires transparency in algorithmic management and correct worker classification based on actual work performed.
India’s government delegate abstained even though its employer and worker delegates voted yes. The country has ratified six of eight core ILO Conventions but not those on freedom of association or violence at work.
India’s gig workforce stood at about 7.7 million in 2020-21 and is projected to reach 23.5 million by 2030. Current national rules define gig workers yet leave benefit details unoperationalised.
Several states have begun their own measures including Rajasthan’s 2023 Platform Workers Act.
