Balancing growth, welfare, and advocacy, the gig economy in India has exploded in recent years, transforming how millions earn a living. From food delivery riders zipping through urban traffic to cab drivers navigating congested streets, gig workers form the backbone of platforms like Zomato, Swiggy, Uber, and Ola.

According to estimates, India has over 8 million gig workers, a number projected to reach 23.5 million by 2030. This sector contributes significantly to employment, especially for young, semi-skilled individuals in a country where population growth often outpaces job growth in some geographies.

At the heart of the gig workers’ debate is the tension between rapid economic innovation and human welfare. Modinomics has always had a fine balance between growth and welfarism. In sync with that philosophy, the Modi government introduced several measures to address these concerns, marking a shift toward formalising protection for this informal workforce.

Meanwhile, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP’s) Raghav Chadha, under the garb of amplifying gig workers’ voices, has only garnered eyeballs for himself on social media platforms like X. He has been instigating unrest and his advocacy is not rooted in real concern, but partisan rhetoric.

For instance, in AAP-ruled Punjab, for unskilled workers, the average minimum monthly wage is just Rs 11,389, while under the BJP government in Delhi it stands at Rs 18,456, almost 62% higher. Similarly, for semi-skilled workers, the average number is Rs 12,170 in Punjab but stands at a solid 67% higher at Rs 20,371 for workers in Delhi. They say charity begins at home and by virtue of that logic, why has Chadha not done anything for the gig workers in Punjab? It is because outraging is fashionable, while working committedly for a cause is tough. Clearly, he does not have the stomach for hard work, as that requires a lot more than simply grazing for applause on social media, with a few click-bait posts.

Before delving further, some questions beget answers. Who passed the Social Security Code (SSC) in 2020, giving PF, pension, ESI, gratuity, disability insurance & maternity benefits to gig workers? Who implemented SSC along with Labour Codes, with effect from 21st November 2025? Who created the e-SHRAM portal to benefit gig workers, who switch jobs frequently? Who created grievance redressal helplines for gig workers? Who brought gig workers under the Payment of Wages Act & The Minimum Wages Act, thereby giving them statutory rights? Who........

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