Overview
On 12 June 2026 the ILO adopted Convention No. 193. The vote was 406 in favour, 8 against and 36 abstentions. India abstained while its employer and worker delegates voted for the treaty.
Key Developments
- Adoption of the first binding treaty that guarantees a floor of rights for riders, drivers, pickers and data‑labellers.
- India’s government delegate abstained under the tripartite system; employer and worker delegates voted in favour.
- The treaty mandates transparent algorithmic management and correct classification of platform workers.
- India’s own Code on Social Security, 2020 remains largely un‑operationalised.
Important Facts
The gig workforce was about 7.7 million in 2020‑21. NITI Aayog projects 2.35 crore (23.5 million) gig workers by 2029‑30, roughly 6.7 % of the non‑agricultural workforce. Earnings data show:
- 39 % earn ₹10,000‑₹25,000 per month; 34 % earn ₹25,000‑₹40,000.
- Workers often face 12‑hour shifts, bear fuel costs, and receive no overtime pay because no employer‑employee relationship exists.
- Only about 15 % have any social‑security cover; the rest lack accident insurance, sick pay, pension and algorithmic transparency.
State‑level laws such as Rajasthan’s Platform‑Based Gig Workers Act (2023) and welfare boards in Karnataka and Telangana are already in force, while the Centre remains silent.
Exam Relevance
This episode touches multiple GS papers. For GS 2 (Polity), it illustrates India’s stance in a multilateral forum and the use of the tripartite system. For GS 3 (Economy), the article highlights the growing platform economy, labour‑market reforms, and the gap between statutory provisions (e.g., Code on Social Security, 2020) and ground realities. For GS 4 (Ethics), the ethical dilemma of protecting vulnerable workers versus promoting a tech‑driven gig model is evident.
Way Forward
To avoid widening the rights gap, India could:
- Ratify Convention No. 193 and incorporate its provisions into national law.
- Operationalise the Code on Social Security, 2020 by fixing contribution rates, eligibility criteria and enforcement mechanisms.
- Mandate transparency of algorithmic management through a statutory disclosure framework.
- Coordinate Centre‑State efforts to create a uniform social‑security fund for gig workers.
Such steps would align India with global labour standards, protect millions of platform workers, and provide a concrete case study for UPSC aspirants on the intersection of labour law, technology and international diplomacy.