With the gig economy braced to expand threefold by the end of the decade, it is good news for women and persons with disabilities.
The latest report from the government think-tank, Niti Aayog titled ‘India’s Booming Gig and Platform Economy’, says that the gig workforce is expected to expand to 2.35 crore (23.5 million) workers by 2029-30, from an estimated 77 lakh in 2020-2021. The gig workers are expected to form 6.7% of the non-agricultural workforce or 4.1% of the total livelihood in India by that period.
The report notes that the gig and platform workers have the flexibility and choice of labor, and these are specifically beneficial for women and PwDs in particular, ‘empowering them to monetize their idle assets when and where they want.’
These are two benefits missing for those in the traditional form of employment.
Having spotted the potential in boosting the workforce participation of both underrepresented groups. The report recommends the following to the different stakeholders.
For industries
- Have inclusive communication, systems, and practices
- Partner with governments and allied businesses to upskill and reskill
- Better Infrastructure and work design to create enabling environment for women and PwD workers
- Focus on accessibility, diversity, and inclusion through gender-based and disability based onboarding targets and incentives at the workplace
- Allow access to social security benefits for women and PwDs
For government, civil society, etc
- Bridge skill gaps by carrying out periodic assessments and partnering with platform businesses for onboarding skilled women and PwDs
- Reach out to unbanked and underbanked women and PwDs through FinTech services
- Incentivize inclusive businesses – women led-platforms or platforms that encourage recruitment of women employees and those with disabilities
