Challenges and Policy Responses for the Future of Online Platform Labour in the Post-Pandemic World

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has radically changed employment around the globe and hastened the expansion of online platform work and digital work arrangements. Post-pandemic, the gig economy in India saw a sharp growth in gig workers who are connected through apps like food delivery services, ride-hailing services, e-commerce logistics, online freelancing platforms, and remote service delivery platforms. Platform-based work opened new economic opportunities, and flexible working arrangements, but it also highlighted the legal and socio-economic vulnerabilities of workers. Most workers at online platforms are outside the traditional employer-employee arrangement, and they forfeit minimum wages, social security benefits, occupational safety, health protection, collective bargaining rights and job security. This lack of adequate regulation of labour has further raised the concern about algorithmic control, digital surveillance, unfair contractual practices, and income volatility. This article reflects on the legal landscape of the online platform labour in the post-pandemic era in the context of India. It analyzes the suitability of the current labour legislation, constitutional protection, and the Code on Social Security, 2020 to solve the issues of gig and platform workers. The study also examines international trends and policy measures to create decent working conditions and labour dignity in the digital economy. The article concludes with a proposal for policies and regulations to be introduced to achieve a balance between technological innovation, labour welfare and social justice.