Want of Security in Transition of Unorganised workers to Gig Economy

Abstract

The prosperity of a country can be achieved only when there is a strong co-operation between the government and the citizens. The prevalence of police state during ancient times primarily concentrated to protect its subjects from external and internal dangers. But at present, the responsibility of the state has been expanded to ensure welfare of its people. Now the government has to make laws not just to protect its citizens but also to guarantee them with a decent standard of living. The constitution of India through its Directive Principles of State Policy recommends the state to take necessary steps to give its citizens a decent and dignified living atmosphere. The labour force of a country plays a major role in its economic development. Therefore, their interest and well-being are of utmost importance. The government has enacted various legislations to give them fair wages, social security, bonus, safety mechanisms during employment and other essential benefits. It also set up dispute redressal forums to settle their grievances. But now the issue is Indian legislations for labourers are primarily concerned with the employees working under proper employment mentioned in the Act. The workers belong to unorganised sector doesn’t get any of the privileges given compared to the other labour force. In order to include these workers, the government enacted a new Act called Unorganised Workers Social Security Act, 2008 and subsequently the enactment of code.  Despite the fact that unorganised workers constitute majority of the India’s workforce, the effective implementation of this Act is still a question. This paper tries to understand why the Act or the code can’t be implemented to its fullest sense and what are the impeding obstacles preventing its fruitful implementation.