The Indian economy is highly dependent on the work potential and income generated by the informal workforce. Of these, gig workers or platform workers constitute a large percentage. In fact, estimates suggest that this cohort will include 2.35 crore workers by 2029-30.

India’s informal workforce is shaping the future of work, and incentive-based essentials present opportunities and challenges for the nation’s workforce. While the potential for increased earnings and motivation is promising, concerns surrounding exploitation, job security, and transparency must be addressed through comprehensive policies and open dialogues.

The Indian workforce can be roughly divided into three segments- formal, informal and self-employed. Of these, informal workers constitute the majority of the total working population. To get a grasp of the actual distribution, one can refer to reports suggesting that the Indian informal sector comprises 550 million people. Of these, 250 million are a part of the agriculture segment, leaving approximately 300 million in other sectors.