Workers or entrepreneurs: The study of Gig workers in India

Atanu Sengupta and Ujjwal Seth

MPRA Paper from University Library of Munich, Germany

Abstract: Gig workers are a midway between entrepreneurs and workers. They are called gig service providers since their income depend on the quantum of job or gig (Radhakrishnan and Roy 2023) . They are defined by “short-term, flexible, and freelance arrangement” (Sharma and Sharma 2025). They often use digital platforms linking independent workers and consumers (Koustimpogiorgos et.al. 2020). They are not considered as workers berefting them from any regular facilities (such as pensions, job securities, ailment benefits, accidental insurance and so on). Numerous studies have focussed on their role in the economy and their socio-economic status. Unfortunately, most of the studies take the form of case studies and/or qualitative analysis. Very few all-India level large scale study is available. This paper is a modest attempt to correct this lacuna. Using a large scale India level study reveals differences in geographical asymmetries, gender and group inequalities, impact of educational attainment of the gig workers’ income and so on.

Keywords: Gig Workers; Platform Economy; Earnings Differentials; Gender Wage Gap; Social Groups; Religion; Informal Employment; PLFS; India. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: J21 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026-06-02
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