India’s festival rush fuels gig boom, but workers face long hours and no safety net

As India ushers in its festive season, the country’s celebrations are being powered by a largely invisible workforce — gig workers. From delivery riders to cab drivers and retail staff, demand for these workers surges every year during this period. Industry insiders estimate a 15-25% increase in gig hiring over regular months, with nearly one million gig roles expected to open nationally this festive season.

For many of these workers, however, festive cheer comes at a price. Himanshu Shukla, a delivery partner, said, “This week I have worked 11-12 hours every day and earned ₹600-900 per day. Some days it is even less.”

Shukla, who has been with a food delivery platform for three years, added, “Festive season comes, workload increases, but money doesn’t increase at that rate. It takes so much energy standing all day in the sun and rain, but at the end of the day, we don’t even save anything as we have to pay for petrol, rent, etc.”

The boom in online shopping and quick-commerce has intensified the pressure on gig workers. From last-minute purchases to sweet and gift deliveries, the volume of orders rises sharply during festivals. NITI Aayog estimates India’s gig workforce at over 8 million, but most workers do not have a fixed salary. Earnings often fluctuate depending on the time of day and type of work, leaving many struggling to make ends meet.
Manoj Kumar, a delivery partner at Blinkit, highlighted the disparity: “Night and day charges are different. Working all day in the sun gets us less money. I think we should get the same money even during the day. And it is festive time, we are also working for the cheer of our families. If the companies can give us slightly more money, it would be great for us.”

Social security woes

Safety and social security remain pressing concerns. Reports suggest less than 5% of India’s gig workforce has any form of insurance or provident fund. The Code on Social Security, 2020, includes provisions for gig workers, but its implementation has been slow. Meanwhile, responsibility for coverage remains a point of contention between gig platforms and state governments.

Rajkumar, a Swiggy delivery partner, said, “We are also Indians, and the government and companies need to do something for us. After working so hard, if something happens to us, the company or government doesn’t do anything. This month, one Instamart rider friend of ours died in an accident. No one came to support his family or him at that time. The company, the store, the government — no one. There should be life insurance and accident insurance for us too because we are also citizens of this country. The government also has a responsibility towards us.”

As India celebrates, it is this workforce that ensures gifts are delivered, customers reach their destinations, and shops remain operational. Yet, for gig workers, festivals often mean exhaustion rather than cheer. They are calling for the basics — health and accident insurance, festive bonuses, and better working conditions. After all, if they are powering India’s festive economy, they too deserve to celebrate with dignity and security.