Swiggy Delivery Partners Go Beyond Earnings: Mutual Fund Access Made Simple

• Delivery partners can save a part of their earnings with investments into mutual funds
• Starting from Rs. 100

Swiggy (Swiggy Ltd, NSE: SWIGGY / BSE: 544285), India’s pioneering on-demand convenience platform, along with Zerodha Fund House announced the launch of a unique programme for its delivery partners across the country. The initiative is aimed at enabling the delivery partners to save a part of their earnings with investments into mutual funds, through the Swiggy rider app. Delivery partners can start their journey with Rs. 100.

This is an extension of Swiggy’s commitment to empowering its delivery partners, going beyond earnings to help partners build financial discipline for themselves and their families, by investing in the schemes of Zerodha Fund House. Riders may choose to invest for emergencies or for long-term needs (like new two- wheeler, school fees, family goals). The investment can be done as per their convenience and there is no lock-in period,

The delivery partners may begin their investment journey from the Swiggy Rider App, the journey is seamless, completely digital and easy to understand. The investment is done directly in the Schemes of Zerodha Fund House and the delivery partners can manage investments directly via Zerodha Fund House’s WhatsApp channel.

Speaking on the launch, Saurav Goyal, Senior Vice President- Driver and Delivery Org, Swiggy said, “Our delivery partners are integral to the communities we serve, and we strive to positively influence their lives through initiatives that promote their safety, well-being, and long-term empowerment. With this partnership with Zerodha Fund House, we are making it easier for our delivery partners to invest their earnings and in turn, become financially independent as well as invest for their future. This is another step towards giving every partner access to financial tools that are designed for them.”

Added Vishal Jain, CEO, Zerodha Fund House “This is another example of how technology can make investing simple and accessible. For millions of gig workers, building long-term savings can be difficult when incomes are earned and spent in short cycles. A Swiggy delivery partner can now save a part of their weekly earnings into a mutual fund in a few taps and withdraw it whenever they need. And that first step, however small, is the beginning of a better financial life."

About Swiggy

Swiggy is India’s pioneering on-demand convenience platform, catering to millions of consumers each month. Founded in 2014, its mission is to elevate the quality of life for the urban consumer by offering unparalleled convenience, enabled by over 6.1 lakh delivery partners. With an extensive footprint in food delivery, Swiggy Food collaborates with over 2.7 lakh restaurants across 720+ cities. Instamart, its quick commerce platform operating in 129 cities, delivers groceries and other essentials across 20+ categories. Fueled by a commitment to innovation, Swiggy continually incubates and integrates new services like Swiggy Dineout and Swiggy Scenes into its multi-service app as well as creating standalone offerings like Toing and Crew for opening up new market segments. Leveraging cutting-edge technology and Swiggy One, the country’s only membership program offering benefits across food, quick commerce and dining out, Swiggy aims to provide a superior experience to its users.

For more details, please visit our website: www.swiggy.com/corporate/

About Zerodha Fund House

Zerodha Fund House is an asset management company launched in 2023, a joint venture between Zerodha Broking (Zerodha) and CASE Platforms (smallcase). Zerodha Fund House offers simple and transparent index funds and ETFs to enable a new generation of investors to access the capital markets. Learn more at https://www.zerodhafundhouse.com/

Disclaimer: This is not investment advice or buy or sell recommendation. Readers should do their own research and analysis or consult an investment adviser/s before investing in schemes of mutual funds. Past performance may or may not sustain in future and should not be used as a basis for comparison with other investments.

MUTUAL FUND INVESTMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO MARKET RISKS, READ ALL SCHEME RELATED DOCUMENTS CAREFULLY.

Gig Workers Halt Deliveries: Nationwide Strike Hits Christmas & New Year’s Eve

Gig workers from Swiggy, Zomato, Amazon, Blinkit, Zepto, and Flipkart have announced a nationwide strike on December 25 (Christmas) and December 31 (New Year’s Eve), 2025, to protest deteriorating working conditions, low wages, lack of safety, and absence of social security protections.

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Key details of the strike

• Dates: December 25 (Christmas) and December 31 (New Year’s Eve), 2025
• Platforms affected: Swiggy, Zomato, Blinkit, Zepto, Amazon, Flipkart
• Organizers: Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT) and Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU)
• Nature of protest: Delivery partners will stop work for two hours nationwide, disrupting services during peak demand.

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Why gig workers are protesting

• Deteriorating working conditions: Workers cite longer hours, higher delivery loads, and unsafe environments.
• Low wages: Many claim earnings have stagnated despite rising living costs.
• Lack of social security: No access to health insurance, pensions, or job security.
• Safety concerns: Delivery partners face risks on roads without adequate protections.
• Dignity and recognition: Workers argue they are treated as disposable labor rather than essential service providers.

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Impact on consumers

• Food delivery delays: Swiggy and Zomato orders may face disruptions during the strike hours.
• Quick-commerce interruptions: Blinkit and Zepto deliveries of groceries and essentials could be delayed.
• E-commerce logistics: Amazon and Flipkart deliveries may also be affected, especially last-minute holiday shopping.
• Peak demand timing: The strike coincides with Christmas celebrations and New Year’s Eve parties, when demand for food and quick deliveries is at its highest.

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Comparison of platforms affected

Platform	Sector	Likely impact during strike
Swiggy	Food delivery	Delays in restaurant orders
Zomato	Food delivery	Disruption in festive meal deliveries
Blinkit	Quick-commerce	Grocery & essentials delayed
Zepto	Quick-commerce	Similar disruptions in urban centers
Amazon	E-commerce	Logistics delays, especially last-minute gifts
Flipkart	E-commerce

Unions have issued official statements, while platforms themselves have remained largely silent so far. The strike was formally announced by the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT) and the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU), who framed it as a protest against “deteriorating working conditions, denial of fair wages, workplace safety, dignity, and social security”.

Zepto’s $450M Funding: A Boon for India’s Gig Workforce?

India’s quick commerce darling Zepto has just raised a staggering $450 million at a $7 billion valuation, marking one of the largest pre-IPO rounds in the country’s startup ecosystem. But beyond the headlines, this capital infusion could reshape the landscape for gig workers, who form the backbone of the 10-minute delivery revolution.

Scaling Up: What the Numbers Say

• Daily Orders: Zepto now fulfills approximately 1.6–1.7 million orders per day, up from 500,000 in mid-2024.
• Store Network: Over 700 dark stores across 80+ cities, with aggressive expansion planned.
• Cash Reserves: Post-funding, Zepto holds $900 million in net cash, ensuring deep runway for growth.

This scale-up directly translates to thousands of new delivery roles, especially in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities where Zepto is expanding next.

Gig Worker Impact: 5 Key Dimensions

1. Job Creation Across Geographies

With Zepto’s footprint growing, demand for last-mile delivery partners will surge. Analysts estimate 30,000–50,000 new gig roles could be created over the next 12–18 months.

2. Platform Competition = Better Incentives

• Higher per-delivery payouts
• Joining bonuses
• Flexible shift options

This competitive dynamic could improve earnings and working conditions for gig workers.

3. IPO-Driven Formalization

• Enhance insurance coverage
• Offer minimum earning guarantees
• Improve algorithmic transparency

Investors and regulators will scrutinize labor practices, potentially leading to better protections for gig workers.

4. Regulatory Momentum

India’s Code on Social Security, 2020 includes provisions for gig and platform workers. Zepto’s scale makes it a likely candidate for early compliance, which could:

• Trigger ESI-like benefits
• Enable skill development programs
• Support retirement savings schemes

5. Youth Employment Surge

Quick commerce attracts young, mobile-first workers. Zepto’s expansion could offer:

• Flexible income streams for students and part-timers
• Digital onboarding and training
• Entry into India’s growing platform economy

Strategic Outlook

Zepto’s funding isn’t just about valuation — it’s about velocity. As the company races toward IPO, its gig workforce will expand, evolve, and potentially gain new protections. For India’s 7.7 million gig workers, this could be a pivotal moment.

Credible Sources Supporting This Estimate

• ETRetail reports that Blinkit, Zepto, and Swiggy Instamart collectively aim to hire over 400,000 workers by March 2025, driven by dark store expansion and category diversification.
• Zepto’s CEO stated that the company alone has created 1.5 lakh jobs as of April 2025, in response to public scrutiny of consumer internet startups.
• NITI Aayog’s 2022 report on India’s gig economy projects continued growth in platform-based employment, especially in logistics and delivery roles.

How the 30K–50K New Job Estimate Was Derived

Zepto’s current scale (700+ stores, 1.7M daily orders) suggests a need for tens of thousands of delivery partners.

If Zepto expands by even 20–30%, it could easily require 30,000–50,000 additional gig workers, especially in new cities and categories.

This estimate is grounded in sector-wide hiring data and Zepto’s own growth trajectory.

Final Word

If executed responsibly, Zepto’s growth could set a new standard for inclusive platform capitalism — where speed meets dignity, and scale meets social impact.

Sources:

• TechCrunch, Oct 2025
• NITI Aayog Gig Economy Report, 2022

Empowering the Gig Workforce: Uncle Delivery's Commitment to Its Driver Partners

The gig economy has changed how people work, offering individuals flexible alternatives to traditional employment. Across urban and semi-urban regions, gig roles like being delivery partners are providing an income lifeline to many who seek autonomy over rigid office jobs or need supplementary income on their own terms. However, gig work often comes with several concerns, such as irregular income, lack of recognition, and limited long-term support. Companies that operate in this space carry a growing responsibility not just to their customers, but also to the individuals who carry out deliveries, often in high-pressure environments.

With on-demand logistics playing an increasingly central role in urban living, the relationship between platforms and their delivery partners is becoming a key marker of sustainable business. Drivers today look beyond just quick payouts. They seek flexibility, stability, and fairness. The delivery ecosystem is evolving, and platforms that prioritize their partners' welfare are likely to stand out. In this context, Uncle Delivery demonstrates a distinct approach to supporting and empowering its driver partners through clear policies, timely incentives, and dedicated support.

Flexible Work That Respects Personal Schedules

Uncle Delivery offers drivers the freedom to set their own schedules without pressure. Whether someone wants to deliver full-time or a few hours a week, the platform accommodates different availability levels. Drivers are not penalized for declining tasks, which means they can make decisions based on personal preferences or availability without fear of reduced access to work. This flexibility makes the platform suitable for a wide range of individuals including students, part-time workers, and those balancing caregiving responsibilities.

The sign-up process is designed to be quick and accessible. All that is required is basic identification vehicle documents such as RC Book, Vehicle Insurance and driving documents such as an Aadhar Card, PAN Card, driver’s license, and bank details. Once registered, drivers can begin accepting deliveries through the mobile application. Uncle Delivery offers a range of vehicle options,from two-wheelers to light commercial vehicles, enabling wider participation and ensuring efficient handling of everything from personal short-distance deliveries to bulk shipments.

Because drivers can choose when to log in and accept orders, they remain in control of their time and output. This model puts autonomy at the core of the experience and minimizes pressure, allowing individuals to integrate gig work into their lives in ways that suit them best.

Incentive Programs That Recognize and Reward Driver Partners

Beyond offering flexible work hours, Uncle Delivery also implements structured incentive programs that reward driver performance. These initiatives are designed to recognize consistent effort and boost engagement by offering tangible benefits for completing deliveries. One such initiative is the “Driver Premier League,” a program that awards points for each successful delivery. These points can be accumulated and exchanged for prizes such as fuel vouchers, electronic gadgets, and other useful rewards. The program is not limited to a select few, which means drivers at different levels of experience can benefit from it.

Additionally, drivers have the opportunity to complete “Reward Missions,” which are time-bound and goal-oriented challenges with added incentives. These missions offer extra income on top of regular earnings, serving as both motivation and financial support. What makes these reward systems effective is their transparency. Drivers can view their progress in real time within the mobile app, giving them a clear understanding of how close they are to reaching a goal or redeeming a prize.

These reward structures show that the company does not treat its driver partners as anonymous service providers. Instead, it recognizes the importance of consistent effort and aims to foster a motivated and acknowledged workforce. This not only improves retention but also boosts overall service reliability, benefiting customers and drivers alike.

Support and Simplicity That Enable Growth

For many individuals entering the gig economy for the first time, the learning curve can be steep. Uncle Delivery addresses this by offering accessible guidance from the start. The mobile app interface is intuitive, allowing drivers to manage deliveries, track payments, and monitor progress without needing advanced tech skills. Clear instructions and help features are built into the platform to make it easier for drivers to navigate orders, communicate with customers, and resolve delivery-related issues.

In case of queries or difficulties during the delivery process, drivers can reach out to dedicated support channels. These channels are designed to provide timely assistance, ensuring that no driver feels isolated or unsupported. Whether the concern is technical, operational, or financial, help is available directly through the app.

The system is built to ensure that drivers have everything they need to operate confidently. By reducing complexity and improving access to information, Uncle Delivery creates an environment where new drivers can learn quickly and experienced ones can focus on performance. This practical support makes it easier for gig workers to grow their income steadily over time, instead of feeling lost or overwhelmed by the process.

Payment Clarity That Builds Long-Term Trust

One of the most critical concerns for gig workers is whether their payments will be reliable and transparent. Uncle Delivery addresses this by offering a clear and consistent payment structure. Drivers are compensated based on distance, with no hidden fees or surprise deductions. The mobile app displays earnings in a simple format, allowing drivers to track their payouts in real time.

Timely payments help drivers maintain financial stability and plan better for their future. Whether it's day-to-day expenses or longer-term financial goals, consistent payouts allow gig workers to manage money more confidently. The platform also enables easy bank transfers, and drivers can view their delivery history and earnings summaries within the app.

The transparent payment system builds trust between the platform and its partners. When drivers are sure that their work is being accurately tracked and fairly compensated, they are more likely to continue working with the platform in the long run. It’s this consistency and dependability that differentiates Uncle Delivery from many others in the gig delivery space.

Conclusion

Gig work is here to stay, and the people who make it possible deserve platforms that support their growth, reward their efforts, and respect their independence. Uncle Delivery has built a system that does more than just connect drivers to delivery tasks. It offers them a practical, supportive, and financially fair environment to thrive in. From a flexible schedule to regular incentives and real-time earnings tracking, the platform addresses the major concerns of modern gig workers while keeping their experience central to its operations.

As delivery needs continue to evolve in cities and suburbs alike, driver partners remain the heart of this transformation. Uncle Delivery’s commitment to their empowerment shows what’s possible when a gig platform chooses to prioritize not just efficiency, but people. The future of logistics may be algorithm-driven, but the success of companies in this space will still depend on how well they treat those who drive them forward.

Tech Mahindra Launches Populii, A Global Crowdsourcing Platform for Gig Workers

Tech Mahindra, a leading provider of digital transformation, consulting, and business re-engineering solutions, today announced the launch of Populii, a crowdsourcing platform that enables gig workers to collaborate with leading organisations through micro jobs requiring human-in-the-loop services. The platform will create flexible work opportunities for the gig workforce while equipping businesses with reliable data from trained and qualified candidates to build competitive AI algorithms.

Populii will create extensive opportunities for gig job seekers around data management, microtasks, and user studies with industry-leading enterprises. Gig jobs on Populii will include content rating, data collection, data transcription, and data annotation of multiple data types. It will also support enterprises in creating production-grade machine-learning models with the help of a qualified workforce and flexible crowd delivery models, enabling businesses to access a pool of skilled talent for a quick ramp-up.

Populii will operate with three customer-centric principles – Advise, Annotate, and Acquire, which will help enterprises scan seamlessly and accelerate product development:

• Advise from Tech Mahindra experts with extensive domain knowledge and specialised skills across industry verticals
• Annotation will be quicker because of the ability to leverage Tech Mahindra’s proven training models that offer high-quality machine-learning datasets
• Acquisition of multiple data types such as image, text, video, and speech in over 80+ languages

Birendra Sen, Business Head, Business Process Services, Tech Mahindra, said, “Building competitive next-gen Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions requires substantial time and tapping into talent beyond traditional workplaces. Populii, Tech Mahindra’s crowdsourcing platform, connects enterprises with skilled gig workers globally, helping enterprises accelerate AI solution creation while reducing costs and boosting productivity. Gig workers get access to top AI projects and flexible earning opportunities.We believe Populii will become the go-to platform for both gig workers and enterprises, fueling innovation and fostering AI success.”

For job seekers, Populii will serve as the best-in-class community to find gig jobs that fit their schedule, enable upskilling, and ensure on-time payments. On the other hand, for enterprises, the platform will provide rich and accurate data that aligns with their business objectives. Populii is built on the foundation of DataMime, which Tech Mahindra acquired in 2020; the solution offers customizable workflows to cater to customer-specific requirements on a multitenant secured architecture.

Populii’s development is aligned with Tech Mahindra’s NXT.NOW™ framework, which aims to enhance the ‘Human Centric Experience’, with a focus on investing in emerging technologies and solutions that enable digital transformation and meet the evolving needs of the customer.

E-Commerce Industry Anticipated to Create 7,00,000 Gig Jobs by the End of H2 2023 Says TeamLease

• E-commerce and Logistics segments expected to drive major hiring
• 25% up from H2 2022 for roles like Warehouse Operations, Last-Mile Delivery Personnel and Call Center Operators
• Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities have a higher increase in open positions as against Tier-1 cities compared to last year

With the approach of the festive season, Indian E-Commerce companies are gearing up to fulfil consumer demands during the annual shopping frenzy. This surge in shopping activity is projected to generate almost 700,000 gig jobs in the second half of 2023. With July opening up the market with shopping festivals by various e-commerce players, the sector currently has around 200,000 open positions for temp workers primarily in the last mile delivery space and warehouse operations jobs. This year's festive hiring is anticipated to witness a remarkable 25% increase in gig jobs compared to the same period last year, reflecting the sector's optimistic outlook and aspirations to boost positive sentiments.

The demand for gig workers during the festive season has been consistently rising, not only in tier-1 cities like Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Chennai but also in tier-2 and tier-3 cities like Vadodara, Pune, Coimbatore. In both metropolitan areas as well as tier-2 and tier-3, there is a predominant need for roles such Warehouse Operations, Last-Mile Delivery Personnel and Call Center Operators, however, the proportion of demand is higher in the tier-2 and tier-3 cities versus in tier-1 as against last year. This is primarily owing to the recovery in rural demand expected in the back of easing inflationary pressures.

Despite the challenges posed by the macro-economic situations, the surge in employment opportunities presents a positive outlook for gig workers all across the country. Businesses are actively recruiting temporary workers to ensure best customer experience during the festive period. As a result, the job market in these cities is thriving, providing a much-needed boost to the local economies.

Speaking about the increasing demand, Mr. Balasubramanian A, Vice President and Business Head, Teamlease Services, said, “Over the last 5 years, we have seen an impressive 20% year-on-year increase in the demand for gig workers, and this upward trend is expected to persist for the next 2-3 years, especially in the thriving e-commerce category. With July opening up the festive season hiring, the e-commerce sector alone has 200,000 open positions at present, which will eventually increase and reach about 700,000 by December. According to industry reports, it is anticipated that India's gig workforce will reach 2.35 crore by 2029-30, which clearly indicates the growing demand for this talent pool. The hiring of gig workers offers a multitude of advantages, allowing corporates to optimize spending, enhance scalability, and embrace agility. Moreover, it empowers the Indian workforce to earn on their own terms, providing a great sense of flexibility and comfort. As we move forward, we look forward to a future where the gig economy plays a pivotal role, and we are committed to supporting this dynamic workforce for the e-commerce sector in their journey towards success.

This year's festive season unveils a dynamic landscape characterized by opportunities and disparities. The statistics show a remarkable 69% surge in gig workers earning more than ₹150,000, indicating a thriving high-income segment. Additionally, there is a significant 62% increase in gig workers earning between ₹85,000 and ₹150,000, reflecting a prospering middle-income bracket. However, it is essential to acknowledge the challenges faced by the lower income bracket, as evidenced by the slower 26% increase in salary among gig workers earning less than ₹20,000. On a more positive note, the 20% increase in salary for workers earning between ₹20,000 and ₹40,000 points towards a promising middle-income group.

“To meet the ever evolving demands of the festive period, e-commerce companies seek highly skilled and adaptable gig workers and temporary employees. The ideal candidates have excellent time management skills and a background in customer service, ranging from delivery personnel with valid driver's licences and good driving records to warehouse and operational support staff with physical endurance. These individuals, who, when required can work overtime, weekends, and holidays, play a critical role in ensuring smooth operations and exceptional customer experiences during this critical time of year.” Added Mr. Balasubramanian A. 

Furthermore, the data show that the surge in gig/temporary workforce hiring is not limited to the e-commerce sector. Several other industries are also ramping up their recruitment efforts to meet the festive season's demands. Retail and logistics are among the prominent industries that are expanding their workforce to meet the increased consumer activity during this festive season.

About TeamLease Services Pvt. Ltd. : TeamLease Services is one of India’s leading people supply chain companies offering a range of solutions to 3500+ employers for their hiring, productivity and scale challenges. A Fortune India 500 company listed on the NSE & BSE, TeamLease has hired 20 lakhs+ people over the last 20 years. One of India’s fastest growing employers, TeamLease also operates India’s first NAAC Accredited Skill University and India’s fastest growing PPP Degree Apprenticeship Program. The Company offers solutions to large, medium and small clients across the 3Es of Employment (over 2.9 lakhs associates/trainees), Employability (over 5 lakhs students) and Ease-of-doing Business (over 1000 employers). In FY2015, TeamLease rolled out DA (Degree Apprenticeship) to provide on-the-job training to apprentices.

In An India's 1st, Rajasthan to Impose Surcharge on Online Transactions to Fund Gig Workers' Welfare Benefits

The Rajasthan Assembly Monday passed a Bill extending social security to gig workers.

In a first in India, Rajasthan has approved a bill to impose a surcharge on online transactions via platforms like Amazon, Ola and Zomato to fund welfare benefits for gig workers. 

Approved without any debate in the state assembly, the bill states that the aggregators will have to provide data of all gig workers registered with them within 60 days of the notification of the law.

As per the bill, the state government will impose a surcharge on online transactions via platforms like Amazon, Ola and Zomato to fund welfare benefits for gig workers, the first such scheme in the country.

Rajasthan state Chief Minister, Gehlot in his budget speech earlier this year had said that “Currently, companies like Ola, Uber, Swiggy, Zomato and Amazon, etc. have engaged young workers on contract on ‘per transaction’ basis. Such workers are called gig workers. Like elsewhere in the world, the scope of ‘Gig Economy’ is continuously growing in the state. Today, the number of gig workers in the state has increased to 3-4 lakh. These big companies do not make any arrangements for social security for these gig workers.”

Eventually, Rajastпan state assembly approved late on Monday the platform-based gig workers' welfare bill, under which online platforms would collect a surcharge of up to 2% on transactions, according to state officials, and deposit the proceeds in a welfare fund to be run by a board with workers, industry and government representatives.

The bill is likely to benefit over 400,000 gig workers in the state and also has a provision to set up a tribunal with some judicial powers to address gig workers' grievances against their aggregator platforms, said a Reuters report citing state government officials.

The number of gig workers has grown sharply in India to an estimated 15 million - emerging as a constituency pursued by political parties ahead of elections in five states in the next few months and general elections early next year.

A recent Quess Corp survey suggested that 80% informal employees expect their employers to provide them security of ESI and Other Medical Benefits.

5X Growth in Demand for Gig Workforce After Mass Layoffs

The gig economy is the fastest-growing part of the workforce, and it is a labour market characterized by short-term contracts or temporary work. Companies in today's digital world are adapting their business models to attract more and more freelancers due to their agility, skillset, and reduced cost. Hiring demand for the Indian gig economy continues to grow at a rapid pace in the post-layoff employment market, reveals the Taskmo Gig Index (TGI). While digital transformation spurred by the global pandemic is constantly rewriting the marketing scenario, Indian companies are increasingly on the lookout for gig partners to fulfil roles in Tech gigs, Content modertaors, business development, telecallers, brand promotion, and micro-influencers.

Gig workers are no longer young people looking for a seasonal job: they're professionals that have had to create new ways of living and working as they can't find jobs with long-lasting hiring commitments. 

Gig workers are self-employed individuals who do not have an employer and do jobs independently or through third parties. The main benefit for companies hiring these workers is that it costs less than hiring permanent employees due to lower salaries, taxes, benefits, etc.

As per the Taskmo report, the number of users on the Taskmo platform increased by 21% last month, while the demand from recruiters noted a 5X growth in January 2023. It is promising to see that top recruiters have strengthened their roots across Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities such as Indore, Bhopal, Ranchi, Lucknow, and Vadodara which are picking up their way to gig jobs, while metro cities continue to maintain the growth momentum for gig workers.

Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities have noted improved demand for gig given that companies are expanding their geographical footprint beyond metros by setting up secondary offices in smaller towns.

Recruiters are also going the extra mile to attract workers from smaller cities through a tech-driven approach, providing multi-language support, job tracking and monitoring solutions, as well as ease of payments. Moreover, location is no longer a deal breaker as many jobs today can be done remotely.

Given the fall of the start-ups, another population of laid-off employees chose to try their luck in yet another emerging employment trend – the gig economy. There are around 15 million gig workers in India and the sector is rapidly growing satisfying the most preferred working styles of millennials, Gen Z, and Y.

As India moves toward becoming a $5 trillion economy by 2025, the gig economy serves as a building block that helps the economy achieve the final goal of eradicating the gap between unemployment and income. Freelancers, cleaners, delivery executives, bloggers, consultants, etc are a part of the gig economy. In recent times, most gig jobs are platform enabled, which also gives gig workers the flexibility to work for more than one contractor.

The booming gig segment has come a long way and brought in economic benefits of productivity and employment to the Indian economy. Amid worries over start-up layoffs, funding crunch, and shutdowns, most gig tech platforms have witnessed a surge in demand for gig workers across Quick commerce, Healthtech, Fintech, and E-commerce sectors.

What Gig Workers Should Expect in 2023?

Image by katemangostar on Freepik

One of the newest employment trends that have gathered several eyeballs in recent times including the Niti Aayog, a think tank of India, is the concept of gig working. As per the Niti Aayog report, ‘India’s Booming Gig and Platform Economy’, the Indian gig workforce is expected to expand to 23.5 million workers by the year 2029-30, which is nearly a 200% jump from the current 7.7 million. The report also states that gig working is about to expand to all sectors, where 47% of the jobs are medium-skilled, 22% are high-skilled and around 31% are low-skilled. Taskmo: A gig discovery platform witnessed a 7X surge in demand for white-collar gig workers for the roles of administrative assistants, industry experts for e-commerce companies, technical skills workers, analytics, and data scientists.

Overall, the demand for gig workers has increased by 10X whereas the participation of gig workers has increased by 3X in the year 2022 in comparison to the year 2021, according to the Taskmo report 2022. Women's participation has increased from 18% to 36% showing a remarkable growth of 2X last year whereas Youth participation in the Gig economy has seen an 8-fold increase between 2019-2022.

While digital transformation spurred by the global pandemic is constantly rewriting the marketing scenario, Indian companies are increasingly on the lookout for gig partners to fulfill roles in business development, field sales, last-mile delivery, digital promotion, brand promotion, and micro-influencers. Gig workers are no longer young people looking for seasonal jobs: they're professionals that have had to create new ways of living and working as they can't find jobs with long-lasting hiring commitments. Gig workers are self-employed individuals who do not have an employer and do jobs independently or through third parties.

Commenting on the growing demand for gig jobs, Prashant Janadri, Co-Founder, Taskmo Said, “Gig is the newest trend in the employment market and today we see its expansion across every industry in the country. Over the last two years, rapid tech advancements followed by the introduction of flexible work models have created an evolution of the gig economy at large. Now we see every other company promoting the gigification of traditional job roles. Furthermore, we have seen that emerging segments in gig are largely dominated by Millennials and Gen Z today.”

Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities have noted improved demand for gigs given that companies are expanding their geographical footprint beyond metros by setting up secondary offices in smaller towns.

Recruiters are also going the extra mile to attract workers from smaller cities through a tech-driven approach, providing multi-language support, job tracking and monitoring solutions, as well as ease of payments. Moreover, location is no longer a deal breaker as many jobs today can be done remotely.

Whether this is a positive transformation or the need of the hour, the gig economy is constantly rewriting the hiring and working scenario all over the world, Indian companies are increasingly on the lookout for gig workers to fulfill roles in business development, field sales, last-mile delivery, digital promotion, brand promotion, and micro-influencers.

During this growing gig economy times, in 2023 gig workers should expect:

More opportunities

Year 2023 is all set to make new records in the history of the gig economy. Seeing the continuous growth from the demand end, a 15X increase in the demand of gig workers is expected in the first two quarters itself. After COVID pandemic situation, workers are prioritising mental health, family and work flexibility while earning good and that will create a healthy demand and supply situation in the economy. E-commerce, mobility, IT, and marketing sectors will continue to create the highest demand whereas Business development executives, field sales executives, micro influencers.Telecallers, etc roles will be in top demand.

Heath and financial benefits

Gig economy is now a well known form of work culture in every sector, from generating leads to executing successful marketing campaigns all over India Gig workers are the most cost-efficient form of getting the work done. The year 2023 will be the most crucial year in the reference of building a healthy work environment for gig workers. From providing health benefits to providing all the basic work benefits, gig discovery platforms as well as the government are all ready to prioritise the mental as well as physical health of gig workers by providing various social and financial securities.

Upskilling

A gig economy is a place where the more skills you have the more you earn, your total earnings are directly proportional to the number of skills you have and how up-to-date you are according to the market demand. The gig economy is considered to be the most fragile market where the demand for skills keeps changing according to the session and market trends so continued upskilling will play an important role in how much you can earn. Majorly the Platforms like Taskmo will keep dominating the industry as they provide an opportunity to upskill according to the market demand.