Collaboration Between Employee Organizations and Platform Companies in India

Introduction:

In recent years, the rise of the gig and platform economy has significantly transformed labor markets worldwide, including in India. The emergence of digital platforms such as Uber, Zomato, and Amazon has given rise to new employment relationships and posed unique challenges for traditional employee organizations. The following lines explores the potential for collaboration between employee organizations and platform companies in India, shedding light on the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.

Context and Recent Developments:

The Indian government needs to take some steps to legislate on the Social Security Code, thereby bringing platform workers under the purview of social security provisions. Additionally, several states have also sought to include platform workers under Social Security coverage. These developments have created a unique opportunity for employee organizations to connect with platforms and explore areas of collaboration.

Furthermore, the International Labour Conference of 2025 is set to discuss the issue of platform work, highlighting the global significance of this emerging form of employment. The International Labour Organization (ILO) has engaged with employee organizations in India to gather insights and perspectives on the topic.

The Value Proposition for Employee Organizations:

Employee organizations, such as the All India organization of employees (AIOE) etc.  are actively looking to formulate a membership strategy that can attract platform companies. The aim is to establish dialogue and engagement with platforms, creating a space for addressing concerns, advocating for workers' rights, and driving change.

By connecting with platform companies, employee organizations can play a crucial role in shaping policy frameworks, influencing the discourse around employment relationships, and ensuring that the interests of gig workers are adequately represented. This collaboration can foster trust and provide a platform for discussions on issues such as fair wages, social protection, and appropriate working conditions.

Engagement Strategy and Challenges:

The key challenge lies in bridging the gap between the platform companies' aversion to being labeled as employers and the need for them to engage in discussions about social security and workers' welfare. Employee organizations must craft an engagement strategy that assures platforms they are not seeking to impose employer-employee relationships but rather to act as advocates and representatives for platform workers.

Some Platform Companies have shown a willingness to explore collaboration with employee organizations, recognizing the potential benefits it brings in terms of trust-building, policy advocacy, and providing a voice to gig workers. The timing is critical, as these platforms understand the implications of upcoming legislation and the need to establish a common ground for dialogue.

The Way Forward:

To ensure the success of this collaborative effort, it is crucial to address the value proposition for platforms. Employee organizations must emphasize how their engagement can help platforms navigate the changing regulatory landscape, respond to workers' concerns, and contribute to the development of policies that protect the interests of both platforms and gig workers.

The upcomming efforts  on the subject provides by ILO will provide an opportunity to initiate these discussions and gauge the interest of platform companies in collaborating with employee organizations. The involvement of key stakeholders, including representative platforms and employee organizations, will be instrumental in shaping the journey ahead.

The evolving landscape of platform work in India presents both challenges and opportunities for employee organizations. By initiating dialogue and collaboration with platforms, employee organizations can play a pivotal role in advocating for workers' rights, shaping policy frameworks, and fostering a sustainable gig economy. The success of this collaboration depends on building trust, highlighting the value proposition for platforms, and creating a conducive environment for dialogue. With continued efforts and a shared vision, employee organizations and platform companies can work together towards a more inclusive and equitable future for gig workers.