DOWNLOAD REPORT

WORKING CONDITIONS IN DIGITAL PLATFORM WORK

Remunerations & volatile wages Occupational, health and safety risks Working hours and unstable schedules

Remunerations & Volatile Wages

How volatile are wages for platform workers?

Earnings for Indian platform workers range between ₹2,500 and ₹10,000 per week. In ridesharing, for a small section of workers, the weekly earnings go beyond ₹12,500 as well.

All sectors


Food delivery


Ridesharing


Home services

How Much Control Do Digital Platform Workers Exercise Over Their Earnings?

How are workers’ payments calculated?

Workers generally report that their payments are calculated per task, although some in the ridesharing sector report distance-based payment calculation.

69%
Payment calculated per task
4%
Payment calculated on hourly basis
4%
Payment calculated with respect to hourly
19%
Payment calculated with respect to kilometers covered

What challenges do workers face in receiving payments?

The majority of workers reported not facing any challenges in receiving payments. However, some reported delays in payment and unfair deductions.

68% No issues faced
20% Delay in Payments
10% Instances of penalties/ unfair deductions
5% Unpaid wages
“

Yes, sometimes we don’t receive our payments on time. For instance, we’re supposed to get paid through the platform, but occasionally the payment is delayed. So, we end up calling them to check if the payment has been processed. Sometimes we also check the app to confirm the payment status. We try to follow up weekly to ensure everything is on track. Occasionally, we do get our payments on time, but not always.”

-Kishan, ridesharing worker,

How Are These Wages Supplemented For Workers?

What type of incentives do workers receive?

A significant percentage of workers reported receiving incentives for working particular shifts and completing tasks. Incentives took the form of cash, closely followed by tips from clients and health insurance. However, many workers also reported being unaware of incentive provisions by companies and this was highest in the home services sector.

When do workers receive incentives?

A significant percentage of workers reported receiving incentives for working particular shifts and completing tasks. Incentives took the form of cash, closely followed by tips from clients and health insurance. However, many workers also reported being unaware of incentive provisions by companies and this was highest in the home services sector.

54%
Completing more number of tasks
29%
Working on particular hours or particular shifts
1%
Extending working hours

WORKING HOURS AND UNSTABLE SCHEDULES

How many hours are digital platform workers engaged with platforms in a day?

The majority of workers across the three sectors reported working between 8 and 12 hours, and having regular working hours. Engagement with platform work for the majority is on a full-time basis, with limited scope for other streams of income.

Do workers have regular working hours?


All sectors


Food delivery


Ridesharing

Home services

How many workers are engaged in platform work on a full time basis?


All sectors


Food delivery


Ridesharing

Home services

OCCUPATIONAL, HEALTH AND SAFETY RISKS

What kinds of risks are digital platform workers subjected to while working?

Road safety related risks were most commonly reported by workers, followed by stress and anxiety due to the pressure of meeting targets.

81% Road safety related risks (accident, traffic, etc)
51% Stress and anxiety - pressure to meet delivery deadlines/maintain ratings
47% Health issues
37% Violence related risks
17% Injuries from lifting heavy items or repetitive movement
“

My friend once had an accident, but he didn’t receive any support during his accident. A car hit him when going to deliver food. He called the helpline, but he didn’t receive any support. His friends took him to a hospital and he paid the expenses out of his pocket.”

-Praveen, food delivery worker