Strengthening Social Protection in the Platform Economy

Convened by the Labour Department, Government of Karnataka, JJN, and the Global Deal, one theme came up repeatedly in the discussion that the architecture of work has changed rapidly. But the architecture of protection has not kept pace.

Platform-mediated work has fundamentally reshaped employment relationships. What was once a bilateral arrangement between employer and worker is now mediated by digital platforms that influence important aspects of work such as task allocation, pricing, and performance standards, without corresponding statutory obligations.

India offers a particularly revealing context. The country’s gig workforce is projected to reach 23.5 million by 2029 and policy frameworks are beginning to respond. The Code on Social Security, 2020 extended formal recognition to gig and platform workers, while several states are advancing their own legislative agendas. Yet, the question of implementation and coherence across jurisdictions remains open.

What emerged clearly from the panel was that technical fixes alone will not suffice. The design of effective systems will depend on sustained engagement between governments, platforms, and worker representatives, as well as a willingness to reconcile competing priorities: flexibility, innovation, and worker protection.

The discussion featured:

Mariko Ouchi, senior specialist for social protection at the International Labour Organization (ILO);

Rajesh Joseph, Professor at Azim Premji University;

Mounika Neerukonda, former general manager at Swiggy;

Rakshita Swami, founder and director at the Social Accountability Forum for Action and Research (SAFAR), honorary member of the Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS); and

Glenda Quintini, head of the Global Deal Support Unit.

The session was moderated by Sabina Dewan, Executive Director of the JustJobs Network (JJN).

The closing keynote was delivered by Uma Mahadevan Dasgupta, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary and Development Commissioner, Government of Karnataka.