Fairwork India Ratings 2023 report: All platforms score zero on fair representation - Details

Fairwork India Ratings 2023 report, which examines the working conditions of gig workers on digital labour platforms, is out and no platform managed to score on the principle of fair representation. Despite the fact that representation through a collective body or trade union is considered a vital dimension of fairness at work, there was insufficient evidence from any platform that showed a willingness to recognise a collective body of workers, the report said.

"It is disconcerting that despite the rise in platform worker collectivisation across the country, over the past four years, there was insufficient evidence from any platform that showed a willingness to recognise a collective body of workers," the Fairwork India Ratings 2023: Labour Standards in the Platform Economy report said.

Also, the report - which examines the work conditions of platform workers on digital labour platforms in India  - mentioned that there were only three platforms with a minimum wage policy.

"BigBasket, Flipkart, and Urban Company were the only platforms with a minimum wage policy to ensure that all their workers earn at least the hourly local minimum wage after factoring in work-related costs. No platform made the second point of the Fair Pay principle, which requires platforms to provide sufficient evidence that workers earn at least the local living wage after work-related costs," the report said.

The Fairwork India Ratings 2023 scores 12 platforms, including Amazon Flex, BigBasket, BluSmart, Dunzo, Flipkart, Ola, Porter, Swiggy, Uber, Urban Company, Zepto and Zomato. This year, no platform scored more than six out of the maximum of ten points, and none scored all the first points across the five principles. 

Here are the key findings:

1. Only BigBasket, Swiggy, Urban Company, Zepto and Zomato were awarded the second point for providing workers with accident insurance coverage at no additional cost, monetary compensation for income loss in cases where they were unable to work due to medical reasons other than accidents, and for ensuring workers’ standing was not negatively affected when they returned after a break taken with prior notification given to the platform.
 
2. Seven out of 12 platforms were awarded the first point for the Fair Contracts principle. BigBasket, BluSmart, Dunzo, Swiggy, Urban Company, Zepto and Zomato were awarded this point for ensuring the accessibility and comprehensibility of their contracts, and for having a protocol for data protection and management of worker data.

3. Amazon Flex, BigBasket, BluSmart, Flipkart, Swiggy, and Zomato were awarded the first point for the Fair Management principle for providing due process in decisions affecting workers, and channels for workers to appeal disciplinary actions. There was sufficient evidence only from BluSmart and Swiggy to meet the second point for the principle.