Socio-economic Impact Assessment of Food Delivery Platform Workers

Background

The National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) initiated a comprehensive research program consisting of three segments to analyze the socio-economic impact experienced by food delivery platform workers in India. The inaugural component of this research program yielded a report titled "Socio-economic Impact Assessment of Food Delivery Platform Workers." The primary objective of this report was to conduct a comprehensive socio-economic impact assessment pertaining to individuals employed within the food delivery platform sector. An intriguing revelation from the report is that a significant 32 percent of food delivery workers hold college degrees, while an even more substantial 54 percent have completed their class XII education. Remarkably, the report also underscores a concerning trend of declining real wages among food delivery workers. Additionally, it reveals that approximately one-third of these workers possess graduate degrees, further underscoring the severity of the unemployment crisis. Furthermore, the report represents a dedicated endeavor to fathom the nature of the work performed by food delivery platform workers. It aspires to place this work within a coherent framework, offering an insightful exploration into the socio-economic implications that stem from the engagement of workers in this sector. Crucially, this report carries the potential to serve as a valuable guide for policymakers, offering insights that can aid in the formulation of suitable social welfare policies and the establishment of safety nets specifically tailored to address the unique circumstances of platform workers. Moreover, the report advocates for the active involvement of food delivery platforms in supporting gig workers through the e-Shram portal. It underscores the critical importance of granting gig workers access to social security measures, emphasizing the need for their economic and social well-being

The report finds that:

• Over 32% of food delivery workers are college graduates and more than 54% have passed class XII education.
• There has been a decline in the real wages of food delivery workers.
• Around a third of food delivery workers hold graduate degrees, revealing a dire unemployment situation.

The report also highlights that food delivery platform workers face a number of challenges, including:

• Long working hours
• Unpredictable earnings
• Lack of social security benefits
• Exposure to occupational hazards

The report concludes that food delivery platforms play an important role in the Indian economy, but that more needs to be done to protect the rights and well-being of platform workers.

Recommendations of the Report

The report makes a number of recommendations to policymakers and food delivery platforms, including:

• Policymakers should design appropriate social welfare policies and safety nets for platform workers.
• Food delivery platforms should help gig workers on the e-Shram portal.
• Gig workers need social security access.

Implications of the Report

The report has a number of important implications for policymakers, food delivery platforms, and platform workers themselves.

For policymakers, the report highlights the need to develop policies that protect the rights and well-being of platform workers. This could include providing social security benefits, such as health insurance and pension schemes, for platform workers.

For food delivery platforms, the report shows that more needs to be done to support platform workers. This could include providing them with training and development opportunities, as well as access to affordable healthcare.

For platform workers themselves, the report provides valuable insights into the socio-economic challenges they face. This information can help them to advocate for their rights and interests, and to demand better treatment from food delivery platforms.

https://www.ncaer.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/NCAER_Report_Platform_Workers_August_28_2023.pdf