‘Most gig workers lost income during pandemic’

‘Earning slid to Rs. 15,000 from Rs. 25,000’

BENGALURU - KARNATAKA - 31/02/2020 : Coronavirus... Zomato and Swiggy men on their way to delivery of food to the customer at home, during the National wide Coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown, in Bengaluru on March 31, 2020. Photo: K Murali Kumar / THE HINDU

Almost 90% of gig workers in India have lost income during the pandemic, according to a survey by Flourish Ventures, a global fintech venture capital fund.

The survey, conducted among 770 ride-sharing drivers, delivery workers and house cleaners in August, found incomes had collapsed since the lockdown with almost nine out of ten gig workers earning less than Rs. 15,000 a month in August compared with more than Rs. 25,000 a month before the pandemic.

Government aid

The firm said government aid had alleviated some hardship as of those surveyed, 42% received food or financial aid from the government as part of COVID-19 relief measures.

“This research reveals most are concerned for their financial future,” said Tilman Ehrbeck, managing partner, Flourish.

“At Flourish, our hope is that the same digital platforms which enabled the gig economy can connect workers to new sources of income and better financial tools for security in this crisis and beyond.”