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e-ISSN: 1647-7251
Vol. 13, Nº. 2 (November 2022-April 2023)
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NOTES AND REFLECTIONS
THE NEW WORK CULTURE OF THE GIG ECONOMY - AN ANALYSIS
OF HOW THE GIG ECONOMY IS ALTERING EMPLOYMENT
PROSPECTS AND EXTENDING TALENT POOLS
JOSÉ NORONHA RODRIGUES
jose.n.rodrigues@uac.pt
Doctor in Law (PhD) "CUM LAUDE", by the University of Santiago de Compostela (Spain),
recognized the equivalence of degree of Doctor in Law by the Lisbon University Faculty of Law,
DEA in European Union Law (2008), Master in International Relations (2004), Post-Graduate in
Regional Law (1998), Post-Graduate in Labor Law (2003) and Graduated in Law (1996). He is
Vice-President of the School of Business and Economics and member of the Centre of Applied
Economics Studies of the Atlantic (CEEAplA) - University of the Azores (Portugal), Scientific
Coordinator of the Master's Degree in Company and Employment Law, as well as of the Degree in
Law at the University of Santiago - Cape Verde, Visiting Professor in the Master's Degree in Civil
Law and in the Master's Degree in Tax Law at the Catholic University of Mozambique, Delegate
for the Azores of the Instituto de Derecho Ibereamericano. He also holds the Chair of the Policy
Center for the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child
SUMANTA BHATTACHARYA
sumanta.21394@gmail.com
Research scholar at Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology, West Bengal (India) and
a policy Analyst. He completed his B.Tech , M.Tech in Textile Technology and currently pursing
his ph.d (2) in Tech, along with that he has MA in development studies, LLB, MA in security and
defence law, PGDESD, MPI (Oxford University). Being a research scholar he has 194 research
papers published in International and Scopus index journal, wiley, Springer, Hindawi jn various
sectors like law, economic, Development studies, Textiles, Climate Change, SDGs, Public policy,
Nanotechnology, Biotechnology ,cancer, environment studies, 34 Book chapters published, 36
patents International and National, 4 copyrights, attained 60 International and National
conference and presented papers and won 18 awards for his excellent in education, policy
making and innovation.
DORA CRISTINA RIBEIRO CABETE
dora.cr.rodrigues@uac.pt
PhD candidate in Law at the Nova University of Lisbon - Nova School of Law, PhD candidate in
Business Economic Sciences at the School of Business and Economics of the University of the
Azores, Master's and postgraduate degree in Social Sciences at the University of the Azores,
Degree in Sociology (UAc) and in Law (UAL). She is a guest lecturer at the Azores University
(Portugal), a guest lecturer at the University of Santiago - Cape Verde and a lawyer.
JANUS.NET, e-journal of International Relations
e-ISSN: 1647-7251
Vol. 13, Nº. 2 (November 2022-April 2023), pp. 387-395
Notes and Reflections
The New Work Culture of the Gig Economy – An analysis of how the gig economy is altering
employment prospects and extending talent pools
Rodrigues, José Noronha; Bhattacharya, Sumanta; Cabete, Dora Cristina Ribeiro
388
Introduction
India has a sizable population that engages in the gig economy, which is supported by a
developing digital platform. The gigs consist of temporary, freelance, or sharing economy
positions. But the gig economy is expanding as a result of the epidemic and the growing
trend of working from home. There is no sign that it will slow down when it integrates
into the larger economy. It is the outcome of a sizable technological, artificial intelligence,
and machine learning progress. As of 2019, some of the most popular platforms in India
include Zomato, Swiggy, Uber, BigBasket, and Foodpanda.
In 1920, musicians who received payment for their performances popularised the phrase
"gig economy." Startups started creating websites and apps in the 1990s with the
introduction of Internet services. Finally, the gig economy underwent fresh developments
and alterations when Uber was introduced in 2010. Gig workers, often referred to as
independent contractors or on-call workers, sign a formal contract with on-demand
businesses in order to offer services to the businesses' clients. The gig economy, which
has currently given the majority of India's young jobs in the form of part-time or full-
time labour, is supported and acknowledged by the Indian government.
In order to boost social services during the epidemic, the federal and state governments
negotiated memorandums of understanding (MOU) with a number of gig platforms. The
gig economy's greatest benefit is that it promotes job growth, entrepreneurship, and skill
development. Ola and Uber have poor gig-work circumstances, whereas Flipkart ranks
highest in India for fair work. The fair work India grade is based on fair compensation,
fair conditions, fair contracts, fair management, and fair representation. Due to
allowances and low compensation, gig workers in India have had to overcome several
obstacles and put in an extra 8 to 9 hours of work each day in order to make ends meet.
There is minimal to no job security and little perks compared to other employment in the
sector.
Literature Review
The supply of gig work often comes from developing nations like India, the Philippines,
Pakistan, and others, while demand typically comes from developed nations like the
United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada. But when it comes to
employment, affluent nations rely on their own citizens, whereas underdeveloped nations
receive 90% of their gig work from other nations (Roy and Shrivastava, 2020). The gig
economy is significantly contributing to the rise in the GDP of the nation as there are
more jobs available online. In India, there are 15 million independent contractors, which
is promoting the expansion of new businesses. India has the second-largest market for
independent contractors after the United States (Kasliwal, 2020)
Many Indian women now have the opportunity to work remotely and on digital platforms.
Women now have thousands of work opportunities thanks to the gig economy alone. Due
to social or familial constraints, women who were previously unable to work outside the
JANUS.NET, e-journal of International Relations
e-ISSN: 1647-7251
Vol. 13, Nº. 2 (November 2022-April 2023), pp. 387-395
Notes and Reflections
The New Work Culture of the Gig Economy – An analysis of how the gig economy is altering
employment prospects and extending talent pools
Rodrigues, José Noronha; Bhattacharya, Sumanta; Cabete, Dora Cristina Ribeiro
389
home can now do so while sitting at home, juggling paid and unpaid work at the same
time. However, a major obstacle to women's engagement in the gig economy is a lack of
computer literacy or unequal access to these platforms (Kasliwal, 2020)
Women's participation in the work force has declined from 30.27 percent in 1990 to 20.8
percent in 2019, according to World Bank statistics (Nain and Kasliwal, 2021). Social
security, societal norms, and family allowances all play a significant role in how much
women participate in the workforce. Inequality against women is rife across the Indian
subcontinent. Women only have potential in the gig economy in urban areas, they need
computer literacy, and males need to embrace them as equal members of contemporary
society where they are needed in the labour to advance a nation. Digital workers are now
eligible for benefits, including employment injury benefits, old age protection, provident
fund, maternity benefits, and many more, according to the new labour codes of 2020,
which introduced the social security bill.
People are eligible but not guaranteed the rights, according to the bills. Gig workers
frequently struggle with difficulties like viability, identity challenges, and career insecurity
(Caza, Reid, Ashford and Granger, 2021). The COVID has been problematic for the gig
workers. The delivery order cost for Swiggy was decreased from 35 to 10 per delivery
charge with 19 individuals working day and night to reach out to the public and supply
food goods and essential ancillaries.
Although they are not required to work in a specific area or for a set amount of time, gig
workers do not receive fixed pay. Because there will be more jobs in the gig economy for
both men and women, it is essential that these employees have access to security
insurance. For example, owing of their poor wages, these delivery guys who work for
Zomato, Uber Eats, Swiggy, and other companies often put in longer hours each day.
In this industry, there is no set salary. The same problems affect Uber drivers as well.
Because neither is allocated evenly and these workers' rights are not protected, they
must work two jobs to make even the minimum wage for survival. Although it appears
to be a win-win scenario, the actual situation is quite different. Platform-enabled gig
economy workers, who fall into two categories — highly skilled gig workers and low-
skilled gig workers — are one of the main issues. Because they are less numerous than
the low-skilled gig workers, the highly skilled gig workers have more negotiating power
and more clout.
Research Methodology and Objective
For the exploration of these subjects, secondary data was gathered from a variety of
journals, websites, and an interview in which delivery staff from Swiggy and Zomato
were questioned about their jobs and the challenges they encounter in this industry with
the aim to
1. A study of the gig economy and the rising demand for it;
2. What obstacles gig workers must overcome and what opportunities exist for women
in the gig economy;
3. Future of the gig economy.
JANUS.NET, e-journal of International Relations
e-ISSN: 1647-7251
Vol. 13, Nº. 2 (November 2022-April 2023), pp. 387-395
Notes and Reflections
The New Work Culture of the Gig Economy – An analysis of how the gig economy is altering
employment prospects and extending talent pools
Rodrigues, José Noronha; Bhattacharya, Sumanta; Cabete, Dora Cristina Ribeiro
390
Result and Discussion
Why more people are working as gig workers today
Today's gig economy has given us the opportunity to work as per our requirements, time
and days, and from any place. This is primarily due to the trend of remote working that
has been made possible. The 10 to 5 daily routine, the office shift that one has been
following for ages, working 5 days a week, and even something called the graveyard
shift, earlier these questions had no answers.
During the gig economy era, a gig was an artist's performance; however, in the modern
age, a gig is any Talent's performance. A lawyer or financial consultant, but you
collaborate with the firm on a specific project, presentation, or piece of work as an outside
resource rather than joining the firm. In the United States, 57.3 million people currently
work gigs; by 2027, gig workers will make up half of the labour force. There are 15
million gig workers in India, the gig economy in the UK has doubled in size over the last
three years, and by 2023, the gig economy will be worth $455 billion globally.
There are 24 million persons in the European Union who have reportedly worked jobs at
least once. Uber drivers and delivery personnel are not usually gig workers. Any person
who works can be a gig worker, including journalists, writers, photographers, realtors,
wedding planners, software engineers, and others. A gig worker might be an independent
contractor, a project-based worker, a freelancer, or an employee who both works full-
time and works as a gig worker.
In order to participate in the gig economy, you must have a smartphone and fast Internet
access. There are many sites available now that connect gig workers to complete this
task for us. Project, presentation, or day rates are used to pay gig workers. In general,
freelancers bill about $ 21 per hour. Some independent contractors make $100,000
annually, according to US figures.
Figure 1 : Indicates some of the facts why people prefer to work as gig workers
Source: Authors
Reasons of
working in
gig
economy
48%
Balancing
carrer and
family needs
22% Only
way to make
income
19% Earning
while
seeking a
better job
48%
Autonomy
and control
55% Make
extra money
on the side
JANUS.NET, e-journal of International Relations
e-ISSN: 1647-7251
Vol. 13, Nº. 2 (November 2022-April 2023), pp. 387-395
Notes and Reflections
The New Work Culture of the Gig Economy – An analysis of how the gig economy is altering
employment prospects and extending talent pools
Rodrigues, José Noronha; Bhattacharya, Sumanta; Cabete, Dora Cristina Ribeiro
391
The employment market nowadays is changing as well since no one stays in one position
for very long and because there are so many opportunities. Talent abounds as well, and
social media has connected the two. Digitalization has led to a rise in the popularity of
the gig economy. Everybody aspires to be their own boss. Time is more significant than
stability in the modern society. Gigs are preferred by most people over corporate 10-5
or 9-5 jobs. Because it offers flexibility and long-term work balance, the gig economy,
according to 26% of millennials, is more secure than traditional employment.
Work-life balance is no longer negotiable, and the gig economy promises it through
technology with no time restrictions. Because of the ability of technology to connect
teams in different time zones, gig workers have relatively flexible work schedules. The
telecommuting era has arrived.
A Deloitte survey found that 64% of adults desire to take up side employment to increase
their income. Gig Workers receive pay dependent on how well they work. In the
Philippines, 62% of all freelance employees are women. Women's economic
empowerment and income maximization are being aided by the gig economy. We
increasingly use services from the gig economy in our daily lives, and the term has grown
popular among young urban entrepreneurs. In the US in 2018, 36% of the workforce
participated in the gig economy.
Figure 2 : Show the rise in Gig economy in the world
Source : World Economic Forum
The majority of people move to countries like Saudi Arabia, Germany, and the United
States in quest of better prospects. There is a sizable Indian Diaspora, and the bulk of
people move to the US in pursuit of better prospects. The gig economy is also helping to
put an end to colonialism in India; Bharat is a nation that values innovation and
entrepreneurship. The gig economy now provides the primary, secondary, and tertiary
sectors with a supplementary job environment. The employer-employee barrier, which is
pervasive in Indian office culture, is eliminated by this new working system (Nanda,
2021).
JANUS.NET, e-journal of International Relations
e-ISSN: 1647-7251
Vol. 13, Nº. 2 (November 2022-April 2023), pp. 387-395
Notes and Reflections
The New Work Culture of the Gig Economy – An analysis of how the gig economy is altering
employment prospects and extending talent pools
Rodrigues, José Noronha; Bhattacharya, Sumanta; Cabete, Dora Cristina Ribeiro
392
Over the past twenty years, the concept of work from anywhere, from home, has
progressively gained traction, allowing more women to become entrepreneurs around
the globe. Urban women play a significant role in the gig economy, working as
independent contractors, advancing women and putting them on an equal footing with
men. The Indian government has introduced new programmes for the digital
empowerment of women in both rural and urban areas, and rural women can also
participate in the gig economy. Due to the fact that anyone in the globe can contact you
via a digital platform, the gig economy knows no borders.
The effectiveness, efficiency, and work performance in the gig economy are higher than
those of workers in a stable economy; they also save money and resources in terms of
benefits, training, and office space; they are more cost-effective for employers because
they hire people for specific projects instead of hiring full-time employees; and retired
people can avoid active retirement by working as gig workers with limited travel.
The emerging ecosystem of start-ups is currently looking to hire skilled technology
freelancers in fields such as data science and engineering to boost Tech Platform. MNCs
are also looking for contractual hiring, which is contributing to the gig culture in India.
The gig economy reduces the hectic lifestyle of traditional workers in India with a flexible
outlook. Platforms for freelance employment like Upwork, Truelancer, and Guru help the
gig economy expand.
Figure 3 : Shows the gap in income for gig workers and traditional workers in different industries
Source : ADP Research Institute Report
Gig workers face inequality when it comes to income and a number of provision compared
to regular job workers. However if we look at the upwork side, the buyers on the Upwork
JANUS.NET, e-journal of International Relations
e-ISSN: 1647-7251
Vol. 13, Nº. 2 (November 2022-April 2023), pp. 387-395
Notes and Reflections
The New Work Culture of the Gig Economy – An analysis of how the gig economy is altering
employment prospects and extending talent pools
Rodrigues, José Noronha; Bhattacharya, Sumanta; Cabete, Dora Cristina Ribeiro
393
side are companies or small business which are looking for someone to do search engine
optimization work, web development, translation things and many more, if we look at
the zip code where those people who are buying services are they are very rich zip codes,
the average income in the zip code of a buyer on the Upwork site is 36% greater than
the average income for the US as a whole, so upwork is helping to reduce inequality for
the gig workers in a way.
A gig worker make 6% less per year and make 15% more per hour compared to a regular
job worker and our independent workers. Moreover the instability in the income of gig
workers can be recovered faster as it differs from month to month and weak to week,
where as in the case of regular workers, the impact of an economic loss is way longer.
From 80 in 2009 to 330 in 2021, the number has increased. The time and effort model
comes in second place to the fixed-fee model in terms of popularity. 135 million Indians
lost their employment during the pandemic, which is anticipated to cause a shift in the
full-time labour force to the gig economy, where individuals are placing a greater
emphasis on gaining skills and practical knowledge than on theory.
Ever more people prefer to work in this new work culture, but there are significant
drawbacks, including lack of work perks, retirement benefits, medical benefits, stability,
and a forum for dispute resolution (Kapoor, 2021). A gig economy lacks stability, which
is an issue in many nations. For instance, it is impossible to obtain a loan in France
without a job contract, and it is challenging to locate an apartment.
Figure 4 : Indicates the problems associated with gig economy
Source: Authors
Standard employee contracts do not apply to gig workers. (Banik, 2022). If a worker is
unable to execute their job because of something like illness or a general economic crisis
that affects business, there is no room for sympathy. Due to the commoditization of
labour, gig workers are susceptible to changes in demand. For gig workers, matters are
made worse by the lack of social security. People who work gigs full-time are not even
Problems for
gig workers
No work
benefits
No
Retiremen
et benefits
No Medical
benefits
No stability
No social
security
No
Redressal
forum
JANUS.NET, e-journal of International Relations
e-ISSN: 1647-7251
Vol. 13, Nº. 2 (November 2022-April 2023), pp. 387-395
Notes and Reflections
The New Work Culture of the Gig Economy – An analysis of how the gig economy is altering
employment prospects and extending talent pools
Rodrigues, José Noronha; Bhattacharya, Sumanta; Cabete, Dora Cristina Ribeiro
394
firm workers, therefore they are not eligible for benefits like health insurance, paid time
off, family leave protection, etc. that are offered to employees.
Future of gig economy
To create social impact and gain widespread support for different labour policies, we must
reframe a number of labour regulations. By using an advanced statistical data analysis
method to examine past and present law enforcement practices and the effects they had
on labour society, it is possible to provide a concise report on how such changes were
received by the general public. Create a dedicated commission for labour pay to assure
wages and other payments without impeding production and industrial progress. We
must improve the labour management system to create effective contractual labour
agencies that will give workers multiple possibilities to work for both public and
commercial organizations.
Digitalization must be available to everyone, regardless of gender. To inform people
about the use of technology and cellphones, special programmes and workshops should
be organized in each district as well as in villages with internet connection. The digital
economy and all actions that come from digitization must be known to the public. The
gig economy should be embraced in rural India. There should be career counselling,
possibilities for students in the gig economy, specialized courses on gig working, and
openings in a range of industries. Since this is the age of technology and gigs and the
majority of people in India will be gig workers by 2025, entrepreneurship and
management courses should be offered in schools for a deeper understanding.
We must adopt labour laws, social security, and benefits (medical, retirement, and
insurance) for gig workers since the gig economy is the future. Uber and Ola have
experienced severe problems in India. Due to a lack of funding or unfair treatment,
Zomato and Swiggy frequently go on strike. Today, gig workers play a significant role in
our daily lives. For those who consistently place food orders, food delivery services are
necessary (older people and college students). The gig economy, especially in the domain
of jewellery creation where internet connectivity is available, can support rural women's
economic emancipation.
Conclusion
Modern technologies and the gig economy are in full swing. The culture at work is
changing. Flexibility is regarded less than stability. The majority of people do not want
to go back to the previous system of doing things. The latest societal tendency is to work
remotely, from anyplace. The gig platform enables people to discover their potential and
work accordingly because the world is full of talented people. But even in the twenty-first
century, some ways of thinking — like discrimination against women — remain the same.
Because most women are excluded from this type of labour, especially in South Asia, the
gig economy is expanding in one way. For instance, if we look at the number of nations
where women drive for Uber, the majority only have 2–4% of them (Bansal, 2021). Lack
of computer literacy among women is a significant obstacle to their participation, and
this constrained viewpoint has an impact on a nation's economy as a whole, not just on
JANUS.NET, e-journal of International Relations
e-ISSN: 1647-7251
Vol. 13, Nº. 2 (November 2022-April 2023), pp. 387-395
Notes and Reflections
The New Work Culture of the Gig Economy – An analysis of how the gig economy is altering
employment prospects and extending talent pools
Rodrigues, José Noronha; Bhattacharya, Sumanta; Cabete, Dora Cristina Ribeiro
395
women. The unemployment rate in India is going down. The epidemic has led to a large
number of job changes and entry into the gig economy. The number of startups and
entrepreneurs is increasing.
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How to cite this note
Rodrigues, José Noronha; Bhattacharya, Sumanta; Cabete, Dora Cristina Ribeiro (2022). The New
Work Culture of the Gig Economy - An analysis of how the gig economy is altering employment
prospects and extending talent pools. Notes and Reflections in Janus.net, e-journal of international
relations. Vol. 13, Nº 2, November 2022-April 2023. Consulted [online] on date of last visit,
https://doi.org/10.26619/1647-7251.13.2.03
