Equal Work, Unequal Wages: Pay Gap Persists For Gig Workers – NDTV Profit

Report on Gig Worker Compensation and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction and Methodology

A report issued by Genius HRTech, a provider of workforce staffing and HR solutions, highlights significant disparities in the compensation of gig workers in India. The findings are based on a Digipoll survey conducted from September 1-30, 2025, which included 1,550 professionals across various industries.

Key Findings on Labor Inequality

The report’s primary conclusion is that gig workers, despite being essential to the seasonal “festive economy,” are not compensated on equitable terms. This disparity directly contravenes several core principles of sustainable development.

• The gig economy’s agility is heavily reliant on the contributions of temporary workers.
• A significant pay gap exists between gig workers and their permanent counterparts for equivalent work.
• This inequality undermines the creation of a stable and motivated workforce, posing a risk to both economic growth and social equity.

Analysis in the Context of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The issues identified in the report have direct implications for India’s progress toward achieving key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The practice of unequal pay for equal work is in direct opposition to Target 8.5, which calls for full, productive employment and decent work for all, including equal pay for work of equal value.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: The compensation disparity highlighted contributes to economic inequality, challenging the objective of Target 10.4 to adopt policies, particularly wage and social protection policies, to progressively achieve greater equality.
• SDG 1: No Poverty: Inequitable wages can limit the ability of gig employment to serve as a reliable pathway out of poverty, impacting the broader goal of poverty eradication.

Recommendations for a Sustainable and Equitable Gig Economy

To align the gig economy with sustainable development principles, the report, through the statements of Chairman and Managing Director R P Yadav, proposes a multi-faceted approach.

1. Ensure Fair Compensation: The principle of “equal pay for equal work” must be extended to all forms of employment, including temporary and gig contracts. This is fundamental to achieving SDG 8 and SDG 10.
2. Promote Skill-Building: Investing in upskilling and reskilling opportunities for the gig workforce is crucial. This aligns with SDG 4 (Quality Education) by equipping workers with relevant skills for decent and sustainable employment.
3. Increase Transparency: Establishing transparent contractual and payment systems is necessary to protect labor rights and foster a secure working environment, a key component of SDG 8 (Target 8.8).

Conclusion

The report concludes that fostering a future-ready, motivated, and equitably compensated gig workforce is essential for powering India’s seasonal economic demand. Addressing the current inequalities is not only a matter of fairness but is a critical step in advancing the nation’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those concerning decent work, poverty reduction, and reduced inequality.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • The article’s central theme revolves around the working conditions of gig workers. The call for “equal pay for equal work,” “fair compensation,” and the statement that gig workers “operate on unequal terms” directly address the core principles of decent work.
2. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • The article highlights the disparity in treatment and compensation between gig workers and those on permanent contracts. This focus on the “unequal terms” of employment for a specific segment of the workforce is directly related to reducing inequalities within and among countries.
3. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • The recommendation for “skill-building” for the gig workforce connects to the goal of providing inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities, particularly those that enhance skills for employment.

2. Specific SDG Targets

1. Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.
   • This target is explicitly addressed through the article’s emphasis on the principle of “‘equal pay for equal work’ must extend beyond permanent contracts” and the need for “fair compensation” for gig workers.
2. Target 10.4: Adopt policies, especially fiscal, wage and social protection policies, and progressively achieve greater equality.
   • The article advocates for systemic changes to ensure gig workers are not left on “unequal terms.” The call for fair compensation and transparency implies the need for new policies and regulations to protect the gig workforce and reduce income inequality.
3. Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship.
   • The specific mention of “skill-building” as a key requirement for creating a “future-ready, motivated gig workforce” directly aligns with this target of equipping the adult workforce with relevant vocational skills.

3. Implied Indicators for Measurement

1. Wage gap between gig workers and permanent employees for work of equal value.
   • The article’s focus on “equal pay for equal work” implies that a key metric for progress would be the measurement and reduction of the pay disparity between these two worker groups. This would serve as a direct indicator for Target 8.5.
2. Existence and implementation of policies ensuring fair compensation for gig workers.
   • Progress towards Target 10.4 could be measured by tracking the adoption of new labor laws or corporate policies that guarantee fair wages and transparency for the gig economy, as advocated in the article.
3. Participation rate of gig workers in skill-building programs.
   • To measure progress towards Target 4.4 in this context, one could track the number or percentage of gig workers who are provided with and participate in “skill-building” opportunities to enhance their employability and career prospects.

Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: ndtvprofit.com