Industrial Relations in the Gig Economy: A Study of Platform Workers

The gig economy has transformed the world of work, offering flexibility, innovation, and new income opportunities. However, it also poses significant challenges to traditional industrial relations frameworks, especially in areas such as job security, social protection, collective bargaining, and legal clarity. Gig workers, who form the backbone of this digital labor model, often operate in vulnerable conditions without the safeguards enjoyed by formal employees. To address these challenges, it is essential to reimagine industrial relations to suit the realities of platform-based work. This includes redefining worker classifications, ensuring algorithmic transparency, enabling collective voice, and extending social security and labor rights to all workers, regardless of their employment status. Governments, platform companies, trade unions, and civil society must work collaboratively to develop inclusive policies and regulatory mechanisms. Only by creating a fair and equitable ecosystem can we ensure that the gig economy grows in a way that respects the dignity, rights, and well-being of its workers. A balanced industrial relations framework is not just a necessity for justice—it is a foundation for sustainable economic development in the digital age.

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