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India’s first women-led gig workers’ union just orchestrated a nationwide digital strike on Diwali. The protest marked a significant milestone in the fight for labour rights across the country.
The Gig and Platform Workers Union (GIPSWU) made history last week by organising India’s first-ever digital strike across eleven major cities.
Participants switched off their phones and refused to work on Diwali, which is traditionally one of the busiest and most profitable days for platform companies.
The protest demonstrated a solidarity that’s growing among gig workers who, despite their physical isolation, found a way to unite against exploitative practices and have their voices heard.
Its timing served as a powerful reminder of the stark inequalities that exist within the modern workforce, seeing some celebrate India’s most famous festival while others fought for their basic rights.
Behind the convenient façade of app-based services lies a troubling reality for female gig workers. They face numerous challenges, such as sub-minimum wages, excessive hours, and dangerous working conditions.
The situation is particularly dire for women who are required to enter private residences, as this exposes them to a greater risk of being sexually harassed or experiencing male violence.
Platform companies’ lack of adequate grievance redressal mechanisms and basic worker protections is to blame for the vulnerability of this workforce that’s expected to operate without a safety net.
The union reports that many workers are forced to work for extended periods to meet unrealistic targets, while companies extract steep commissions from their earnings.
