India’s refusal to uphold a global gig work law

The article discusses India's abstention from voting on International Labour Conference's Convention No. 193, 'Decent Work in the Platform Economy,' which aims to provide a floor of rights, including minimum pay, occupational safety, and social security, to platform workers globally. While many nations adopted it, India's government abstained, despite its employer and worker delegates voting in favour. The article highlights that India's abstention means denying its growing gig workforce (projected to reach 2.35 crore by 2029-30) these protections, including against opaque algorithmic management. It critiques India's domestic Code on Social Security, 2020, for defining gig workers but failing to operationalize concrete benefits, contrasting it with proactive state-level legislations. The author argues that India's stance is consistent with its history of endorsing principles but withholding obligations on certain ILO conventions, ultimately choosing platform interests over worker rights.