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Delhi’s combined LFPR is 46.4%, lower than the national average of 60.1% in 2023-24, indicating low workforce participation in the economy. On closer look, the data indicated a decline in regular wages and a rise in self-employment and casual labor over the past few years.
“The low LFPR coupled with the low unemployment rate indicates greater informalization of the workforce, evident from the decline in the proportion of regular salaried workers. This is also in line with national trends,” Mohan said.
According to the 2023-24 WorkIndia report, an annual index representing the status of blue-collar workers in the Indian job market, Delhi emerged as the top city with a strong gig economy, followed by Mumbai and Bengaluru.
As NITI Aayog estimates India’s gig workforce to grow from 77 lakh in 2020-21 to 2.35 crore in 2029-30, unions of app-based gig workers have called for a law to recognize them as formal workers. Demand is increasing so that they can avail social security benefits like maternity leave, health insurance, retirement fund etc.
As far as the quality of jobs vis-à-vis social security is concerned, PLFS data shows a worrying trend:
In October 2023, Kejriwal, the then Delhi chief minister, had promised a policy framework during a meeting with the Gig Workers Association (GigWA). Even after 15 months there is still no clarity.
“We held two rounds of meetings with AAP representatives in December last year and we have been assured of a law to protect the rights of gig workers. Registering on the e-Shram portal is a good first step, but a comprehensive set of measures is definitely needed,” said Nitish Kumar Das, organizing secretary, GigWA, while speaking. The QuintHe stressed that GigWA will continue to lobby for formal recognition of gig workers.
