In India, female gig workers at Urban Company, a popular home services app, are fighting for their rights and facing a tough present and uncertain future. A year after mass protests, workers say the company has stripped away their flexibility and autonomy.
KEY ISSUES:
– Workers must pay equivalent of two months’ salary to start working on the app
– Pressure to perform for demanding algorithm is unsustainable
– Poor client ratings can lead to temporary or permanent blocking from the app
– Missed work means no money, affecting single mothers and sole breadwinners
– Limited legal recourse due to lack of government oversight
COMPANY RESPONSE:
– Urban Company invests in onboarding and helps workers maintain ratings
– Workers enjoy flexibility through app-based availability marking
– Company offers feedback, re-training, and emergency passes for missed bookings
WORKER RESISTANCE:
– Protests, social media support, and union rallying
– Dozens of women protested outside Urban Company’s Bengaluru office in June
– Workers say the company is a monopoly, making it hard to effect change without government regulation or a game-changing strike
This article is part of a series in collaboration with Rest of World, highlighting the struggles and resistance of gig workers in India.