![](\"https:\/\/im.rediff.com\/money\/2020\/nov\/05gig-workers-1.jpg?w=670&h=900\")
<\/p>\nGig workers in e-commerce firms are yet to find satisfactory channels to voice their concerns as none of the 12 major e-commerce platforms have recognised any collective body of workers, Fairwork India said in its latest report released on Monday.<\/p>\n
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“It is disconcerting that despite the rise in platform worker collectivisation across the country, over the past four years, there was insufficient evidence from any platform that showed a willingness to recognise a collective body of workers,” the report notes.<\/p>\n
The project by Fairwork India, in collaboration with Oxford Internet Institute and WZB Berlin Social Science Centre, surveyed 963 consumers and studied the practices of 12 major e- commerce platforms.<\/p>\n
These include Amazon Flex, BigBasket, BluSmart, Dunzo, Flipkart, Ola, Porter, Swiggy, Uber, Urban Company, Zepto and Zomato.<\/p>\n
The survey gauged the awareness and perception of the working conditions of platform workers in 12 major cities.<\/p>\n
The survey used five principles that digital labour platforms must ensure to be considered as offering ‘fair work’.<\/p>\n
These parameters are — fair pay, fair conditions, fair contracts, fair management and fair representation.<\/p>\n
On fair representation, the report said the platforms should provide a documented process through which a worker’s voice can be expressed, irrespective of his employment classification.<\/p>\n
It added that workers should have the right to organise in collective bodies, and platforms should be prepared to cooperate and negotiate with them.<\/p>\n
“Consequently, no platform could be awarded a point for this principle this year,” the report noted.<\/p>\n
The report also notes the passage of the Rajasthan Platform-based Gig Workers Act, 2023, and hails it as a ‘turning point’ in providing social security to platform workers.<\/p>\n
“The passage of this Act in Rajasthan also suggests that after years of organising their rights and entitlements, and raising claims with the state, platform workers are now recognised as a political constituency,” the report added.<\/p>\n