The convenience for consumers created by the gig economy has an unforeseen byproduct: it is taking an immense toll on the wellbeing of platform workers.

Gig workers face a heightened vulnerability to road accidents, chronic body aches from long hours and working through erratic weather conditions, from extreme heat to heavy rainfall.

Though platforms claim to provide health insurance for gig workers, these benefits are often subject to performance and earnings, say news reports, worker unions and researchers.

However, gig workers could benefit from the Code on Social Security, 2020, which came into effect from November. It extends recognition to gig and platform workers and seeks to extend benefits such as retirement savings, and state-run health, life and disability insurance to them.

It brings gig workers under the Employees’ State Insurance Scheme, which could provide a comprehensive social safety net, beyond traditional medical expense coverage.

However, for all the benefits such a scheme offers, including gig workers in its purview poses challenges. An expansion would also have to account for gig workers’ volatile incomes and long working hours with no fixed timings.

A study published in 2020 of 173 gig workers in Chennai found that between April and June the previous year, 32.36% food delivery workers had met with road accidents.

Similarly, a survey of 166 gig...

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