{"id":80494,"date":"2026-07-31T18:07:23","date_gmt":"2026-07-31T12:37:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=80494"},"modified":"2026-07-31T18:08:42","modified_gmt":"2026-07-31T12:38:42","slug":"ilo-convention-193","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/31-07-2026\/ilo-convention-193","title":{"rendered":"ILO Convention No. 193"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Economy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The International Labour Conference adopted Convention No. 193, <strong>\u2018Decent Work in the Platform Economy\u2019.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>406 voted in favour<\/strong> (which included nations such as China, Brazil, Germany, France, South Africa, and Japan), 8 against, and 36 abstentions<strong> including India.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-background has-fixed-layout\" style=\"background-color:#fff2cc\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Note: <\/strong><em>The ILO runs on a tripartite structure. Every member state doesn&#8217;t send one delegate, it sends four.<\/em><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About Convention<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is the<strong> first legally binding international labour standard <\/strong>dedicated specifically to the platform economy.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>It establishes a global framework<\/strong> to help ensure that technological innovation and new business models go hand in hand with workers\u2019 rights, fair competition and sustainable economic growth.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The Convention applies to<\/strong> <strong>digital labour platforms and digital platform workers,<\/strong> whether they are in an employment relationship or not, including self-employed workers. It covers both <strong>location-based and online platform work.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The Convention addresses a broad range of issues, including:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Fundamental principles and rights at work;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Occupational safety and health;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Violence and harassment;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Promotion of decent work opportunities;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Remuneration or payment;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Social security;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Impact of the use of automated systems based on algorithms on workers;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Data protection and privacy;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Suspension, deactivation and termination;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Protection of migrants and refugees;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Access to justice.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>On Automated Systems:<\/strong> The Convention contains provisions on the impact of the use of automated systems based on algorithms, including automated decision-making systems.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It establishes principles relating to <strong>their transparent use and access to review mechanisms<\/strong> when automated systems based on algorithms affect workers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Once ratified,<\/strong> it must be<strong> implemented through national laws, regulations, policies, collective agreements<\/strong> in accordance with each country&#8217;s legal system and national practice.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background\" style=\"background-color:#ebecf0\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p><strong>International Labour Organisation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is an United Nations Agency established in<strong> 1919<\/strong> as part of the Treaty of Versailles that ended World War I, and it became the <strong>first specialized agency of the UN in 1946.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India became a founding member of the ILO in <strong>1919<\/strong>, even before gaining independence.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It has <strong>187 Member states.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It <strong>sets labour standards, develops policies <\/strong>and devises programmes promoting decent work for all women and men.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is the <strong>only tripartite U.N. agency <\/strong>that brings together governments, employers and workers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is headquartered in<strong> Geneva, Switzerland.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Who are Gig Workers?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Non-standard or gig work consists of <strong>income-earning activities outside of standard, long-term employer-employee relationships.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It relies<strong> heavily on temporary and part-time positions<\/strong> filled by <strong>independent contractors and freelancers<\/strong> rather than full-time permanent employees.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The term is borrowed from the music world, where performers book <strong>&#8220;gigs&#8221;<\/strong> that are <strong>single or short-term engagements<\/strong> at various venues.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The gig economy uses <strong>digital platforms <\/strong>to connect freelancers with customers to provide<strong> short-term services or asset-sharing<\/strong>.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Examples include <strong>ride-hailing apps, food delivery apps, and holiday rental apps.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>India and Gig Economy (As per NITI Aayog)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In 2020, <strong>7.7 million workers<\/strong> were engaged in the gig economy.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The gig workforce is expected to<strong> expand to 23.5 million workers or 4.1% of total workforce by 2029-30.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>About 39% of gig workers earn \u20b910,000-\u20b925,000 <\/strong>a month and <strong>34% earn \u20b925,000-\u20b940,000, <\/strong>with wages stretched across 12-hour shifts; fuel paid for by the worker himself; and no overtime.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Only about 15% have any social security.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>At present about <strong>47% of the gig work<\/strong> is in medium skilled jobs, about 22% in high skilled, and about 31% in low skilled jobs.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Its contribution to India&#8217;s gross domestic product (GDP) is estimated to be substantial, with the potential to<strong> add 1.25% to GDP by 2030, <\/strong>and <strong>create 90 million jobs in the long term.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Reasons for a rise in Gig Workers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Post Pandemic:<\/strong> The trend accelerated during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, as gig workers delivered necessities to <strong>home-bound consumers,<\/strong> and those whose <strong>jobs had been eliminated turned to part-time and contract work for income.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Freedom to work from anywhere:<\/strong> These types of positions facilitate independent contracting work, with many of them not requiring a freelancer to come into an office.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Rise of Technology and Internet: <\/strong>Rise of fast internet and smartphones have made it easier to work from anywhere easily.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Convenient for Small Organisations:<\/strong> Employers who cannot afford to hire full-time employees to do all the work will often hire part-time or temporary employees to take care of busier times or specific projects.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Benefits Employers: <\/strong>Employers do not need to provide related benefits, such as medical insurance, Provident Fund, and year-end bonuses which make it a better option for them to pay only for work on a unit basis.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Challenges<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Work-life balance:<\/strong> For some workers, the flexibility of working gigs can actually disrupt the work-life balance, sleep patterns, and activities of daily life.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Can replace Full time employees:<\/strong> The number of full-time employees required by the company can be reduced as freelance workers take over the work.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>No regular job benefits:<\/strong> Many employers save money by avoiding paying benefits such as health coverage and paid vacation time.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>There is no formal employment relationship with the platform company and there are usually no employee benefits in short-term contracts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Steps Taken by Government of India for Gig Workers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Code of Social Security, 2020: <\/strong>The Government has formulated the Code on Social Security, 2020 which envisages framing of <strong>suitable social security schemes for gig workers and platform workers<\/strong> on matters relating to life and disability cover, accident insurance, health and maternity benefits, old age protection, etc.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It directs aggregators to pay 1%-2% of their annual turnover, capped at 5% of worker payouts, into a social security fund.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>However, these provisions under the Code have not come into force.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>e-Shram Portal:<\/strong> The Government has also launched e-Shram portal in 2021 for registration and creation of a<strong> Comprehensive National Database of Unorganized Workers including gig workers and platform workers.\u00a0<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It allows a person to register himself or herself on the portal on a self-declaration basis, which is spread across around 400 occupations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Not having the health coverage enjoyed by many people who are in traditional full-time employment, gig workers are particularly vulnerable to medical expenses. These costs can sometimes be catastrophic.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>As they often lack job security and associated benefits of full-time employment, government-backed coverage could provide a crucial safety net.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/opinion\/op-ed\/indias-refusal-to-uphold-a-global-gig-work-law\/article71283046.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><strong> Context <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> The International Labour Conference adopted Convention No. 193, \u2018Decent Work in the Platform Economy\u2019. <\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><strong> About Convention <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> It is the first legally binding international labour standard dedicated specifically to the platform economy. <\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> It establishes a global framework to help ensure that technological innovation and new business models go hand in hand with workers\u2019 rights, fair competition and sustainable economic growth. <\/li>\n<p><a href=\" https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/31-07-2026\/ilo-convention-193 \" class=\"btn btn-primary btn-sm float-end\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-80494","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/80494","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=80494"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/80494\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":80497,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/80494\/revisions\/80497"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=80494"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=80494"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=80494"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}