RECOGNITION OF GIG WORKERS IN INDIA: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF LEGAL RIGHTS BEFORE AND AFTER 2020

The gig economy has reshaped labor markets globally, offering flexibility but raising concerns over worker rights and social security. In India, gig workers have historically existed in a legal grey area, classified as independent contractors rather than employees, thereby lacking access to minimum wages, job security, and social benefits. This study examines the legal recognition of gig workers in India before and after 2020, focusing on the impact of the Code on Social Security, 2020, and subsequent policy developments. A comparative analysis with global regulations, highlights India’s slow implementation and weaker enforcement mechanisms. Despite formal recognition, challenges such as corporate resistance, lack of enforcement, and absence of collective bargaining persist. This research, based on secondary data, underscores the need for stronger regulatory oversight, clearer worker classification rules, and improved social security measures to ensure fair working conditions for gig workers in India.