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Journalism of Courage
The Gig and Platform Service Workers Union (GIPSWU), India’s first women-led gig workers’ union, has called for a nationwide strike on October 31, coinciding with Diwali. Women gig workers in Pune have extended their support to the strike as a gesture of solidarity and allyship. Their primary demands include introduction of social security schemes by the government, statutory minimum wages and other benefits from companies.
Nisha Pawar, Maharashtra in-charge of GIPSWU, who has worked as a beautician with Urban Company for the past eight years, emphasised the need for fair wages and recognition as employees. “We hardly get one-fourth of our total earnings. After deductions for company commissions, commute and product expenses, I only get Rs 5,000 to Rs 8,000 in my hand. With rent and other household costs, I need to work since my husband’s salary isn’t enough for my family’s needs,” she said.
Pawar also criticised company policies that force workers to buy product kits at MRP, making it harder for them to save. “Earlier, we could buy products at wholesale rates, but now the company compels us to purchase their kits at full price which is unfair,” she said.
The company commission, which used to range from 5 percent to 20 percent, has now increased from 10 percent to 35 percent, further impacting workers’ earnings.
Another beautician worker from Baner, who has worked for seven years in Pune, described the challenges women gig workers face. “We had to pay around Rs 50,000 to Rs 60,000 to join, with promises of training and kits, but after working from 7 am to 7 pm, we ended up with very little,” she said.
She said changes in company policy have restricted their right to choose customers. “Previously, we could accept or reject the requests based on our availability, but now the company assigns clients. If we decline a request for reasons such as health or family emergencies, we are blocked without a chance to explain. Many women have lost jobs due to this new process,” she said.
GIPSWU is demanding access to social security benefits similar to those enjoyed by traditional employees, including pension schemes, provident funds and maternity benefits. “Companies and government need to focus on providing these protections,” Pawar added.
Economist Vijay Kelkar was emphatic about solutions to gig workers’ issues being handled at the state level. “Every state has its own unique challenges, and these issues vary from state to state. A central policy on social security schemes won’t effectively address the needs of different states,” he said.
