The rise of the gig economy and its digital mediation has led to various online platforms for workers. Some such platforms are targeted towards domestic workers. In India, domestic workers are mostly women from marginalised castes and classes, forming an invisible backbone of the care economy. With the advent of online platforms, what happens to these structural inequalities? Situating the lived realities of domestic workers, today’s episode focuses on the challenges that they are facing while navigating digital platforms.

In conversation with Ambika Tandon and Parijatha G.P., we discuss how digital platforms are affecting the ability of domestic workers to find work, to unionise and negotiate with employers, and to ensure social protection and a life of dignity. We also discuss how COVID-19 has impacted this scenario and some recommendations for enacting change.

Please follow the below links to read more about the research on this:

Digital mediation of reproductive and care work in India: Research reflexivity and challenges
Platformisation of Domestic Work in India: Report from a Multistakeholder Consultation
DWRU, BBGS & MKU – The Covid-19 Pandemic and the Invisible Workers of the Household Economy – Report

For more details visit The Centre for Internet & Society